Air21 bucks David-led Powerade; refs sacked

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 withstood Gary David’s 36-point explosion then held Powerade to just four points in overtime as it hacked out a come-from-behind 98-94 victory last night to stay in the hunt in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Astrodome.

The Express battled back from 11 points down in the first half then clamped down on the Tigers and David in the extra period to escape with their fourth win against six losses.

“We’re just surviving,” said a relieved Air21 coach Yeng Guiao, whose wards could not seem to neutralize the streak-shooting David in regulation.

“I thought we wouldn’t find a way to stop David. He was really the main threat on offense but we found a solution and it gave us a little breathing room,” he said.

Meanwhile, the league cracked the whip on referees Edward Aquino, Jessie Arabejo and Nestor Sambrano for “repeated lapses in judgment” in the Brgy. Ginebra-Barako Bull game which the Kings won, 90-78, last Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aquino will be suspended for 10 days while Arabejo and Sambrano will serve seven- and six-day suspensions, respectively.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini exploded for 22 points but twisted his ankle with over four minutes left in regulation.

In the second game, B-Meg Derby Ace rolled to its fourth straight victory as it outgunned Rain or Shine in a fourth quarter shootout, 94-86, to even its card to 5-5.

The Elasto Painters fell to their fifth setback against four wins.