Thomas rocks, Air21 wins opening game
by Josef RamosMonday, 31 March 2008 (1,077 Views, 50 Comments)
IT SEEMED the Dragons were playing with four imports, while the injury-plagued Express used only eight players in their rotation.
Steve Thomas, though, said: “It doesn’t matter.”
After making seven points in first half, Thomas scattered 10 of his 23 points in the final canto as the Air21 Express smothered the Welcoat Dragons, 105-96, on Sunday for first win in the opening of 33rd PBA Smart Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m very comfortable playing here in your country,” said Thomas, who also collected 15 rebounds in 39 minutes of play. “I love physical game and my first is a good test. I’m hoping we can sustain it.”
The 6-foot-9 Thomas, who weight 245 pounds, aggressively dominated the paint, shooting 11-of-16 shots in the field mostly on put backs.
Despite having 6-foot-11 bulky Jason Keep and 6-foot-1 guard Corey Santee as their two imports, the Welcoat Dragons failed to use the privilage they got last conference after finishing last in the Philippine Cup with a dismal 3-15 record.
The last two squads – Welcoat and Coca-Cola – in the team standings of previous Smart Philippine Cup are allowed to have two imports, one with unlimited height and the other one is below 6-foot-1.
Aside from that, the Dragons also have Fil-Ams Joe De Vance and Rob Wainwright, who both physically stand like imports.
Forward Ranidel De Ocampo, who led Air21 with 25 points along with six rebounds and four assists, started big when he nailed nine points in the opening quarter including three straight baskets to provide them a 17-10 lead with 10:33 to go.
“We played with a right combination despite there were only eight active players in our roster,” said De Ocampo, who drained 3-of-7 beyond the arc and shot a perfect 7-of-7 attempts in the field. “Thomas helped us a lot.”
Air21 played without 6-foo-5 Homer Se, Mark Magsumbol and rookie JC Intal because of illness and minor injury. Gabby Espinas and Ervin Sotto, wearing their playing uniform, did not play also because they were not yet 100 percent healthy.
Sotto and Espinas are expected to play on Friday against Red Bull, while the return of Se, Magsumbol and Intal stay uncertain.
But the Express didn’t back off from start to finish despite the odds.
Air21 ended the first period ahead, 29-24. Then, the Express aggressively took the game away from Welcoat in second quarter after scoring 23 points and limiting the Dragons to just 10 points to close halftime ahead at 52-34.
Thomas handed the Express their biggest edge at 54-34 early at the start of second half.
Air21 held a comfortable 60-45 lead, but Welcoat tried all its best to stop the bleeding, when it narrowed the gap to only 59-65 after a blazing 11-2 run, capped by the three-pointer of Rob Wainwright with 2:49 left in third.
Arwind Santos, Gary David, Thomas and Niño KG Canaleta conspired to a 9-4 counter attack to keep Air21 with a double-digit lead at the start of payoff frame, 74-65.
The Dragons kept fighting to trim down the deficit to six again, 88-82, when Wainwright drilled in his fifth triple with 6:35 remaining. But Santos dunked over 6-foot-11 Jason Keep, sparking the Express’ 8-0 burst to take the lead for good, 96-82, with 4:32 left.
Air21 never threatened from there.
Rookie Marvin Cruz, who contributed seven points, hit five straight points in the last two-minute mark for a 105-92 count.
“I think we showed improvement on our defense. We gave up 106 points per game last conference,” said Air21 mentor Bo Perasol. “This is only our first game and we need more of this kind of effort.”
Air21 collected 50 rebounds against the 45 of Welcoat. The Express got more blocks (5-3) and steals (6-4) than the Dragons also.
He also praised his import Steve Thomas, saying: “It’s the best game he’s shown so far counting his performances in our tune-up games. I think he’s not yet in shape and he has a lot more to give.”
Sophomore Arwind Santos, who led the Air21 Express in scoring (20. 1 points per game) and rebounding (11.1) last conference, racked up with 24 points along with six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Niño KG Canaleta added 14 points and Wynne Arboleda had five points along with seven rebounds and seven assists.
Rob Wainwright paced the Dragons with 24 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the three-point zone, while import Corey Santee had 19 points and issued nine assists.
Despite Welcoat’s 12-of-28 attempts beyond the arc, Air21 still made more attempts than its opponent, 43-out-of-85 (50.6%).
The Dragons registered only 37-out-of-86 (43%) total field goals.
The Express gained 23 points on the Dragons’ 19 turnovers and they garnered 17 points on second chance points. Welcoat only established four in second chance points.
Air21’s Blog Notes:
In halftime, Perasol and new assistant Leo Isaac instructed the players how to fight ball screens….
Everybody cheered on Gary David right after hitting a trey in the left base line…
Bert Lina and wife both watched the game…
Arboleda received a cheap shot from import Corey Santee at the back of his head but there was no call from the referees during fourth quarter…
Arwind Santos was called for an offensive foul twice in the three-point lane, when he accidentally kicked his defenders. Both attempts were made, though, but no count.
Air21, for the record, has given Welcoat its 12th straight loss this season.
Individual Scores:
Air21 105 – De Ocampo 25, Santos 24, Thomas 23, Canaleta 14, Cruz 7, Arboleda 5, Kramer 4, David 3.
Welcoat 96 – Wainwright 24, Santee 19, Mente 13, Keep 12, Tangklay 8,. Devance 6, Reyes 6, Ibanes 5, Isip 3, Arana 0, Baguion 0.
Quarterscores: 29-24, 52-34, 74-65, 105-96
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idol29 Monday, 31 March 2008 at 2:27 am
nice game! sarap talaga manuod ng live!…pero kahit na nanalo tayo pangit parin mga tawag sa mga express…yung mga tres ni arwind pagkatapos ma shoot tsaka siya tatawagan ng offensive foul…lalo na yung batok ni santee kay arboleda sa harap mismo namin!walang call…di bale panalo parin naman…sinasabi ko lang yung pagiging inconsistent ng mga refs…LAKAS ni THOMAS!
diehard Monday, 31 March 2008 at 7:00 am
Hindi ko napanood buong laro pero masaya na rin ako dahil panalo sila. Ang hindi ko lang nagustuhan sa napanood ko ay yung mga tira sa labas ni KG na puro mintis! I don’t know why pilit pa rin siya ng pilit na tumira sa labas samantalang minamalas na siya. Sometimes kahit wala sa posisyon eh tumitira pa rin siya. He should try to get his shots more inside than outside because he has that leaping ability. Ang kaso mas inuuna niya yung tumitira sa labas. Buti kung sinusuwerte sana pero talagang malas siya kagabi. Mabuti maganda shooting percentage ng mga kasama niya. Am not against KG per se but I’m just giving my observation about last night’s game.
jmarc Monday, 31 March 2008 at 8:04 am
ganoon ang nangyari pag nagkakanya kanya, nagkakaroon ng mga tira na pilit. kaya may time na humabol ang welcoat coz naghanapan ng sariling tira ang mga delivery boys pero buti na lang at nagising sila at bumalik sa team offense kaya hayun kahit parang apat ang importy ng kalaban ay angat pa rin tayo…buti na lang nag-deliver itong si Thomas!ASTIG!SANA MAGTULOY-TULOY TAYO! BIG TEST ANG RED BULL GAME KAYA TARA NA TO THE GAMES AT PERSONAL NA MAKITA ANG PAG LIPAD NG EXPRESS!…malayo pa pero see the need of a legitimate post player na nabibigay ni Thomas ngayon…sana sa All-Filipino may makuha tayo na legit post na pinoy coz mas lumalabas ang laro nila ranidel at nagkakakompyansa ang mga locals pag alam na may sasandalan na malaki.Peace out,Ayt!?
air21dbest!! Monday, 31 March 2008 at 8:34 am
i’m not that satisfied sa laro ni thomas.. d pa xa comfortable sa team.. in terms of laro.. sbi nga ni coach maganda ung gnawa nya pero may igaganda pa, lalo na kpag naging aus na ung chemistry nya w/ the team.. wag matakot k parada.. go air21!
neil Monday, 31 March 2008 at 9:23 am
medyo nahihiya si Thomas nung first 3 Quarters… Pero maaasahan pala kapag talagang binigyan ng go signal at kapag sinet-up siya… Siya dumiin sa Welcoat nung fourth quarter… Galing…
Sana lang wag na maulit yung mga nakakainis na alanganing outside shots ni KG… Fan ako ni KG pero pag ganun nakikita ko, naiinis ako… Buti na lang yung dunk niya ang mas naaalala ko…
Comedy itong si Arwind, iddunk na san yung bola, nabitawan pa, panay tuloy ang kantsaw ng tao pero ngiti pa rin siya… Haha!
Eto namang si Marvin, talagang matindi, almost every team, nakakainitan niya mga point guards, kgabi si Joey Mente naman…
noname Monday, 31 March 2008 at 9:39 am
tol first game palang ni thomas sa express..nag aadjust pa,para sakin siya parin ang pinakamalakas na import ngaun..
idol29 Monday, 31 March 2008 at 9:46 am
sir josef tanong lang po kung 22o yung kay jawo?na after third game ng express siya na ang head coach…nabasa kolang po kasi sa “pilipino star ngayon”…tanong lang po
jiroh Monday, 31 March 2008 at 11:45 am
galing. gsto ko ung game nila nung first 2 quarters, talagang pinakita nila ung team game. mas effective sila pag team effort ang gingawa hindi one-on-one plays. gusto ko ung laro ni thomas, d masyado sa opensa pero pag kelangan nang gumawa, nagdedeliver naman, okay din ung angas niya, parang un ang kulang sa team this past few years eh, ung angas, ung burning desire,sana mapasa niya sa team mates niya ang ganung attitude…
at kung angas lang din ang hinahanap ng team….. c jawo ang magbibigay sa kanila nito..hehe:D
chito Monday, 31 March 2008 at 12:00 pm
ns game air21 ayus feel ko na na meh i bubuga tau sa ibang team. lakas ni thomas grabe eh no
idol Monday, 31 March 2008 at 12:58 pm
idol29 any link?
aus Monday, 31 March 2008 at 2:05 pm
hmmmmmmm galing ng game ng delivery boys kagabi….
kakainis nga lang si KG minsan, nagsasarili eh….
but ok na toh, aus na aus si thomas guys…
chito Monday, 31 March 2008 at 4:56 pm
oo nga ang galing nia kelan po nxt game ng air21 kz d pa
updated ung sched amf
idol29 Monday, 31 March 2008 at 4:57 pm
idol eto yung link >> http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Palaro&p=50&type=2&sec=57&aid=2008033081
neil mukhang nanuod karin ng live kahapon ah?
noname Monday, 31 March 2008 at 6:46 pm
wala parin po ba schedule ng mga games ng express ngayon?
chito Monday, 31 March 2008 at 9:23 pm
buti kau oh nkaka panood ng live
ako TV lng ^__^
RRV Monday, 31 March 2008 at 11:23 pm
Ang daming mintis na tira ni KG!!! Dapat piliin niya mga tira niya. Sana makarating sa kanya ito…
idol Tuesday, 1 April 2008 at 3:45 pm
idol29 sana totoo yan parang rumors lang yan ei!!
lujille Tuesday, 1 April 2008 at 7:57 pm
congrats sa express… magandang simula yan para sa team…and to kuya arwind komedyante ka na pala ngayun hehehehe…. pro ok na rin napasaya mo mga tao hehehe!!!! galingan niyo sa fri. redbull ang kalaban mgaling cla dumepensa although idol ko si baguio pro mas mas idol ko si arwind express ang team ko talunin niyo redbull… hehehehe
lujille Tuesday, 1 April 2008 at 8:38 pm
sa mga fans ni kuya arwind yung ndi nakanood ng uaap days niya panooroin niyo studio 23 replay ang ganda every tuesday and fri.. 2pm ang cmula…. kso ang replay na ngayun yung 2004 na laban na… panoorin niyo!!! yung mga gusto lng manood hehehe!!!
chito Tuesday, 1 April 2008 at 9:45 pm
oo lujille
ang bata ni ariwnd ehehehe
gud luck sa friday kaya yan ni thomas
c parada, eh ang laki ng katawan ni thomas tska kakatakot
aus Tuesday, 1 April 2008 at 10:42 pm
pray tau para friday guys medyo tough makakalaban natin…
ang delivery boys vs ang mga barako…
noname Tuesday, 1 April 2008 at 11:46 pm
wala parin po ba schedule ng mga games???
air21dbest!! Wednesday, 2 April 2008 at 7:30 am
tingnan mo sa pba.ph sched meron na dun
noname Wednesday, 2 April 2008 at 8:10 am
hindi brads yung lahat na ng games ng express…
torch Wednesday, 2 April 2008 at 8:33 am
sna tuloy-tuloy ang winning streak ninyo vs welcoat ok nung 1 half kso nung 3rd qtr ang daming mintis ni KG sna wag lng 1st half ang sobrang ganda n performance sana 1st to 4th quarter khit overtime ganyan din dpat GOODLUCK S FRIDAY talunin nio ang redbull……
chito Wednesday, 2 April 2008 at 9:53 am
malaks tau sa 4th quarter,
at pinaka malakas tau sa overtime ryt…. ^_^
botchog!!! Wednesday, 2 April 2008 at 10:48 pm
Mga guys especially to air21 fans… My site na rin pala sta lucia… http://www.staluciarealtors.com
Check niyo… okay din especially yung mga kuha kay kelly… But pls don’t switch side… air21 pa rin tayo…
aus Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 1:15 am
oo naman solid air21 tau noh!!!
di ko rin feel ung realtors na yan…
chito Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 9:45 am
air21 tlga!!
eh d2 ako ng umpisa
idol Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 10:26 am
after 3 games coach jaworski will replace COACH bo Perason to his place!! JAWORSKI coming SOON!!
anthony12 Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 11:10 am
makikita natin ang galing ng defensive side ni Thomas kapag na contain nya si Parada. mas makikita din natin kung gano cya kagaling kapag nakascore cya sa depensa ni parada.. sarap sigurong panooring madakdakan ung 7 footer, tapos masigawan pa nitong ala-gori nating import… nyahahahaha… go air21!
chito Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 1:06 pm
wow c jawo na coach??? sure na yan idol???
aus Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 1:42 pm
sure na po ba si jawo idol???
maslalakas na tau ngaun…
jmarc Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 3:29 pm
Idol…reliable ba yan source mo…di ba sabi nga ni pafa josef sya lang at wala nang ibang dapat paniwalaan regarding news about the team…so setup pala talaga ang pagdating ni Leo Isaac…baka naman hintayin lang muna matalo ang team bago pumasok si Jawo….hay ano ba talaga…pag nananalo JAwo papasok, pag natalo Jawo pasok aba saksak na kaagad at mag barrelling drive na!Mga ka berks…one game pa lang naman at let’s face it mahina pa rin ang Welcoat kahit dalawa import nila. Masusubukan talaga tayo sa mga malalaksa at mga nagpapalakas na team. Actually wag na natin pansinin ang rigodon ng mga players kasi solid tayo ngayon, wala masyado adjustment at mukhang okay nman sa mga boys itong si Import natin. Hayaan nyo na sila guluhin mga chemistry ng team nila basta tayo solid…Hmmm management wag na muna gumawa ng ano mang hakbang, as of now tama calls nyo na wala muna player movement. Pinaka maganda pa rin ay wala na si “Boy Bulong” at si Tandang Temi na wala naman talagang ginagawa sa team kundi gatasan ang kompanya.Bitawanh na rin muna yang JAwo,Jawo na yan…nakaka distract lang..kung gusto eh sa sususnod na season na lang at kung tutuluyan, tuluyan na wag na puro pa press release!Grrrrr!!!!!Gigiul na ako!!!!Manalo sana tayo ng manalo!
torch Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 4:50 pm
ahh prang ung atin din ang site nila
idol Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 5:26 pm
jmarc read these news click this link>> http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Palaro&p=50&type=2&sec=57&aid=2008033081
basahain mo!! de ko nga alam pero sana totoo!!
idol Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 5:28 pm
chito and aus read this link >> http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Palaro&p=50&type=2&sec=57&aid=2008033081
marami na talagang nagsasabi!! totoo daw!! sana!!
chito Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 7:16 pm
idol san banda dun sa site na un d ko makita
nhina Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 8:16 pm
sana nga tuloy tuloy na ang panalo ng express..
hayy…gusto kong manuod ng lyv tom!
cguradong xciting un kc vs barakos..
go team kyang kya nyu yan!
idol Thursday, 3 April 2008 at 10:41 pm
chiro click mo yang blue!!
idol Friday, 4 April 2008 at 8:00 am
guyz kung sa akin lang parang may chance na maging coach si jawo, ei papayag ba si isaac na maging assistance ni Bo Perasol at isa pa bakit siya uuwi ng pilipinas diba?at isa pa ano ba ginawa ni JAWO sa office ng AIR21!!
neil Friday, 4 April 2008 at 8:34 am
pareng IDOL, nasaan yung article dun sa link, pakipost nga yung exact link para babasahin ko na lang… And di me nanood ng live nung sunday, tutok lang talaga ako nung mga oras na yun sa tv kaya napanood ko buong laban…
And wag nyo ko pagtatawanan ah… since naging air21 fan ako nung 2005, never pa ko nakapanood ng live game nila in person… Nung shell fan ako, ayun nakakapanood ako ng live… Pero since naging air21 fan ako, di pa ko nakakapanood talaga sa araneta or out of town man lang… Sana dumayo PBA dito sa Bulacan ulit at dapat air21 ang isa sa mga teams na lalaro… Nung huling punta ng express dito, 2004 pa, eh shell fan pa ako nun at FedEx pa ang name nila nun at purefoods kalaban nila, ang import ng fedex dat tym is si ANTHONY “Pig” Miller… Haaaay, PBA, balik kayo dito please…
neil Friday, 4 April 2008 at 8:47 am
this is the exact link, try nyo, sana totoo… pero nakakasawa, puro sabi sabi na lang.. http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008033081&type=2
idol Friday, 4 April 2008 at 9:29 am
neil yan po ung exact link ty hehehe!!
chito Friday, 4 April 2008 at 2:20 pm
oo nga eh ako rin d ko nahanp sa link na un kya ko tinanung ehehehe
chito Friday, 4 April 2008 at 2:21 pm
YEs!!!!
AIr21 na mamaya excited na aq!!!!!!!!!
sisigaw nanamn aq d2 sa bahay wahahahahah
chito Friday, 4 April 2008 at 5:03 pm
kita ko air21 team nanonood ng 1st game oh
idol Friday, 4 April 2008 at 9:17 pm
hehehe talo sila aihihhi
kung c de na kick out si KG malamang mananalo pa hehe!!
chito Friday, 4 April 2008 at 9:52 pm
oo nga eh
alam ko kaya pag anjan c KG kz dagdag sa rebound power
nung 4th quarter lng gumana rebound eh
jmarc Sunday, 6 April 2008 at 9:11 pm
So sa laban nila sa Wed laban sa Purefoods si Jawo na head coach! Aba, kung si Nap Gutierrez nagsulat aba mukhang may laman talaga yan…magaling sa tsismis yan ba&*^% na yan at maraming sources kaysa kay pafa josef natin na nahuhuli sa mga balita.Baka nga nagiipon lang ng talo bago pumasok si Jawo,mahirap naman kasi nauupo sya na may winning streak tapos pag upo nya matatalo.HAY NAKU!!!!!