Game on Thursday:

(Al-Shabab Sports Club, Dubai, UAE)

8 p.m. – Barako Bull vs. Rain or Shine

Game on Friday:

(Al-Shabab Sports Club, Dubai, UAE)

8 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs. Ginebra


AT long last, Air21 notched a victory in the PBA. And guess what? The

Express really looked good clinching it.

After 14 games of fruitless attempts, Air21 finally ended an embarrassing losing streak for the season, emphatically beating sister-team Barako Bull last night, 97-88, in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The Express knocked down their first 11 shots of the ball game, went 13-of-16 from the field in the opening quarter to open up a 20-point lead (33-13), and surprisingly sustained control of the match the rest of the way to put behind the winless performance they had in the season-opening Philippine Cup.

Marcus Douthit, the naturalized player Air21 acquired as its import, was the key factor. He was an intimidating presence inside the shaded lane, scored when the situation called for it, and took care of the boards for the former Shopinas.com franchise. He finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds.

Yet the locals were up to the challenge, too. With the addition of Mark Isip and Nelbert Omolon in the roster, the Express were no longer the cowed bunch this time, fearless in taking on a ball club that has a two-time MVP in its roster and a cast of veteran players.

It was Air21’s only first game in the import-spiced tournament, but things look already bright for this franchise, the first team that was eliminated in the Philippine Cup after going 0-14 (win-loss) but the last ball club to debut in this tournament.

Barako Bull, which began the tournament with a 98-78 victory over Alaska, dropped to a 1-2 record.

In his first post-game interview as a winning coach, Franz Pumaren credited the acquisition of Douthit as something that has elevated the team’s faith.

“We needed somebody like Marcus to uplift the confidence of the players,” said Pumaren. “I had a strange feeling coming into this game. The minute Marcus stepped in practice, everybody was in a good mood and the confidence level shot up. They know we just need the right pieces and the chemistry.

“So Marcus is table-fit for us. If we compare our team last conference, we’re a better team in terms of competitiveness.”

Omolon ended up with 17 points, RJ Jazul contributed 15, James Sena had 13 and Isip produced 10 for Air21, which led by as many as 27 points, 72-45, on two free throws by Douthit with 5:27 left in the third quarter.

DerMarr Johnson led the Energy with 37 points, and Willlie Miller added 14. Wynne Arboleda was the only other Barako Bull player who scored in double figures with 12. Big men Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena were held to only two points apiece, while Ronald Tubid went scoreless.

Despite dropping behind by a margin that bordered on the near 30s, Barako Bull still gave Air21 a scare.


The scores

Air21 (97) — Omolon 17, Douthit 16, Jazul 15, Sena 13, Isip 10, Escobal 7, Duncil 6, Hubalde 5, Ritualo 5, Espiritu 3, Mirza 0, Faundo 0.

Barako Bull (88) — Johnson 37, Miller 14, Arboleda 12, Najorda 9, Allado 6, Seigle 4, Lanete 2, Pennisi 2, Pena 2, Weinstein 0, Salvador 0, Tubid 0.

Quarterscores: 33-13; 57-36; 77-60; 97-88.