MANILA, Philippines - Marcus Douthit did his primary job to defend and tend the boards and the Air21 locals stepped up to do the scoring as the Express pulled the rug from under the previously unbeaten Talk n Text squad, 89-78, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Douthit grabbed 28 rebounds while Nelbert Omolon, Jojo Duncil, Mark Isip and RJ Jazul all put in double-figure outputs to make up for their import’s measly six-point production as the Express nailed their second win in four starts in the mid-season tourney.
Omolon stood tallest with 23 points and 17 rebounds while Isip added 16 markers and five boards as the two former Meralco Bolts continued to provide the Express the needed boost.
“Our team is different now from the previous conference, and Omolon and Isip are obviously of big help improving our team,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.
“This is our greatest achievement so far. This win is definitely a morale-booster,” Pumaren also said.
Pumaren was elated they upset the Tropang Texters even with Douthit struggling for only six points on an awful 2-of-13 shooting.
“We’re lucky we caught Talk n Text off. They started flat, and we grabbed the opportunity,” said Pumaren. “Of course, Talk n Text’s unfamiliarity with their import also came to play. They struggled on the court.”
The Express shackled the Texters on defense, holding the Philippine Cup champs to their lowest output in a game in the season.
Donnell Harvey, the rebounding champ in the last Chinese Basketball Association tourney, collected 28 rebounds – the most by any player in the PBA in the last four seasons – but floundered with an 8-of-20 shooting.
The whole TnT team was held to 32.3-percent shooting as the Texters suffered their first loss since ruling the Philippine Cup.
“The plan was to hold down their fastbreak points and their total points. I think we did our assignment,” said Pumaren.
The Express worked hard on defense from the start, limiting the Texters to 18 points on a woeful 25-percent clip in the first period.
Omolon spearheaded the Express’ effort offensively, going perfect from the field (5-of-5) and from the stripe (2-of-2) in the opening quarter.
Meralco snapped a three-game losing skein and moved back into playoff contention as it repulsed Barangay Ginebra, 89-80, later in the night.
Earl Barron, Mark Cardona and Sol Mercado scored at least 17 points each, leading Meralco to a second win against four losses.
The former PCU Dolphin wound up with 23 with 3-of-5 three-pointers, 4-of-7 twinners and 6-of-8 charities.
Douthit missed his first nine shots before making a first basket with a few seconds left in the third.
But despite Douthit’s poor shooting, the Express took control most of the way.
“Douthit gave us a lot in terms of defense and rebounds,” said Pumaren.
“He’s not feeling well. He’s not the usual Douthit. But as a true professional and true warrior, he came out to play,” Pumaren added. “He put pressure on the Talk n Text players. When they did the penetrations, Marcus was always there to help out.”
The scores:
First Game
AIR 21 89 – Omolon 23, Duncil 16, Isip16, Jazul 12, Sena 8, Douthit 6, Ritualo 4, Sison 2, Hubalde 2, Escobal 0, Aquino 0.
TALK N’ TEXT 78 – Harvey 21, De Ocampo 13, Castro 12, Fonacier 11, Dillinger 8, Alapag 7, Gamalinda 2, Carey 2, Peek 2, Aguilar 0, Reyes 0, Williams 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 42-37, 64-58, 89-78
Second Game
MERALCO 89 – Barron 27, Cardona 25, Mercado 17, Hugnatan 8, Espinas 6, Ross 2, Borboran 2, Taulava 2, Timberlake 0, Macapagal 0.
GINEBRA 80 – Vroman 19, Caguioa 19, Villanueva 8, Ababou 7, Mamaril 6, Cortez 6, Helterbrand 4, Labagala 3, Canaleta 3, Raymundo 3, Wilson W. 2, Hatfield 0.
Quarterscores: 16-22, 41-35, 66-50, 89-80