Rookie import toughens up in 2nd half, tows Express

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:45 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs Meralco

8 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Barangay Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - Debuting Air21 import Herve Lamizana picked up his game after the halftime break, pouring in all but two of his 22 points in the second half as the Express turned back the Globalport Batang Pier, 83-78, in the opener of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

After struggling with a 1-of-6 shooting in the first half, Lamizana bounced back strong in the second half, helping the Express to a triumphant start in the mid-season tourney coming from a 10th-place finish in the Philippine Cup.

“It’s the first game. It’s a little intense, and coach told me I have to get used to the style of play here,” said Lamizana of his poor first half.

“In the second half, I just did what I have to do. I showed what I’m here for. I picked it up to show what I’m capable of,” the Ivory Coast national player also said.

Mark Borboran, getting precious minutes on the spot vacated by KG Canaleta, came through with hustle plays at the finish, helping Air21 fend off Globalport and PBA import returnee Evan Brock.

The Express were holding a precarious 80-78 lead within the last 25 seconds when Borboran stole off Mark Macapagal. The former UE Warrior later buried crucial free throws that sealed their win versus the Batang Pier and debuting PBA bench chieftain Pido Jarencio.

Globalport remained winless in games played at the MOA Arena this season.

“Our locals were there when our import wasn’t playing well, but it’s really good that Lamizana got going in the second half,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

“His first half was terrible and I told him import is supposed to be dominating,” Pumaren also said. “Right now our concern is pacing our import. We play a very tough team Saturday (Talk n Text) and we’ll see.”

Lamizana got into a great groove in the third quarter, pouring in 16 points as the Express regained control at 66-56.

The Ivory Coast native came alive in the third, hitting from almost everywhere after struggling for just two points in the first half.

Lamizana scored on a dunk, made perimeter shots and drilled in a trey as he hit his strides, outscoring the entire Globalport team, 16-11, in the third period.

Brock capped his 17-point first-half output with a thunderous two-handed jam and a tip-in at the buzzer as the Batang Pier led by five, 45-40, at the turn.

The one-time ABL champion import also hauled down 11 rebounds as Globalport fought back from an early double-digit deficit and surged ahead towards the end of the second period.

Brock finished with 28 points and 26 rebounds.

Later in the night, Richard Howell did his job getting the rebounds and let his teammates do the scoring as Talk n Text clobbered defending titlist Alaska Milk, 85-72.

 Howell outperformed reigning Best Import winner Rob Dozier, getting a season-high 30 caroms that went with 15 points as the Tropang Texters dominated their first game since being disposed of by the San Mig Coffee Mixers in their Philippine Cup Final Eight faceoff.