MANILA, Philippines – All of a sudden, Air21 has put its fate in its hands. The team which had figured in that blockbuster PBA trade has two games remaining and by all means, they have to win both. Either that or they can see the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados pass them by as far as booking a seat to the next round is concerned.
Carrying a 3-4 card at the moment, the Express will have the Powerade Tigers and the Alaska Aces for their last two assignments and this could very well determine who is in and who is out.
B-Meg ended up its elimination round campaign with a 4-5 card after their loss to the powerhouse Talk ‘n Text team, 107-102 last night.
Air21 has won their last two assignments and on whether they can sustain and add two more seems to be within reach. This is if they can sustain their success which largely depends on the play of their new veteran recruits spearheaded by Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros.
The two former SMB stars have obviously been delivering together with the needed support from Dorian Pena, Paul Artadi, Josh Urbiztondo and Jay-R Reyes. And of course, there is their import Alpha Bangura who has so far been explosive as of late.
Of the Tigers and the Aces, it seems that the latter seems to be more daunting for the Express. The Aces did lose to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 113-97, last night but they played minus their import LD Williams who was serving a one-game suspension.
Consistency will be the key and if the Express stick together and sustain their success from their past two outings, they should have no trouble advancing to the best of three quarterfinals.
In short, Air21 has its fate in its hands and need to win their last assignments. Lose one and they join the early eliminated teams, including the San Miguel Beermen who curiously was the original team that housed the players responsible for their success as of late.
Brian Yalung, Manila Bulletin
