MANILA, Philippines - Air21 caught its second wind in the payoff period after slowing down late in the third, subduing Powerade, 108-98, and staying alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Express, through Danny Seigle, Josh Urbiztondo and Dondon Hontiveros, regained their bearing in the fourth quarter and salvaged the game that kept them in the running for the playoffs.

Improving its record to 4-4 after a third straight win, Air21 has a shot at the last quarterfinals slot as it plays Alaska Milk at the close of the single-round-robin elimination phase Wednesday in the same venue.

B-MEG Derby Ace will take the berth should Air21 lose to Alaska Milk.

Powerade closed out its campaign in the tourney with only two wins against seven defeats.

“The chemistry of the team with our new players is already there. Though a little late, we will try our best to make the next round,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.

“We’re in a challenging situation. Five teams are already in, three are out, and one is hoping for us to lose. There’s a big pressure but we like the challenge. I consider it a privilege that we’re put in this kind of situation,” Ramos added.

“Alaska will be very tough but we have two days to prepare and we’ll do our best to battle,” said Seigle.

The veteran Fil-Am forward churned out a second straight double-double game with 23 points and 12 rebounds in leading the Air21 past Powerade.

He teamed up with Urbiztondo and Hontiveros for clutch plays getting the team back into the groove after squandering a 62-51 spread in the third period.

The Express fell behind at 83-88 when Seigle, Urbiztondo and Hontiveros rose to the occasion, combining in a decisive 13-3 tear that shoved Air21 back on top at 96-91.

Urbiztondo and Hontiveros themselves nailed baskets sealing their win at 101-93 entering the final minute.

Hontiveros finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists while Urbiztondo wound up with 10 points, four assists and two rebounds.

Alpha Bangura sizzled with 27 points in the first three quarters before tapering off and adding only five in the final canto.

Curiously, the Express suddenly blew cold after Bangura missed a fastbreak layup.

“We’d led by 11, but just one mistake and we lost the momentum,” rued Ramos.

Later in the night, Talk n Text built a 20-point lead in the first half and held off Barangay Ginebra’s furious endgame chase for a 102-99 win that made the Texters the elimination-round top notchers with an impressive 8-1 card.

The Texters distinguished themselves the elims best team for the third straight conference.

Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star