Ronjay Buenafe scored eight of his 14 points in the closing minutes of regulation and Air21 overcome
a conference-high 32-point production by Gary David to beat Powerade, 98-94, in overtime Friday in
the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Express snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 4-6 [win-loss] record but it still
wasn't enough to impress head coach Yeng Guiao.

“We’re just surviving. I thought we did a better job defending Gary in the second half. But
I’m still not happy with the way the team is doing. I think we can perform better,” said Guiao,
who called the win a consolation.

With all candidness, the fiery coach admitted his team have no delusion of setting any goals other
than play decent games and see what happens in the end.

After netting the top three picks of the Annual Draft, Guiao said the team felt going 8-10 in the
elimination round was a modest goal. But halfway through the qualifying round the Express found
themselves struggling to survive.

“When reality sets in you just have to accept that we’re going to struggle at this point. We
just have to build our character while we’re struggling,” Guiao said.

The Express though showed some character in the fourth quarter. Trailing 80-87 with 2:05 remaining,
Buenafe came off the bench and quickly made his presence felt.

He hit a running shot off the glass then drilled successive 3-point shots to complete a 8-0 run
that put the Express ahead, 88-87. Buenafe had just two points after three quarters on 1 of 4
shooting but went 4 of 4 in the fourth including two 3-pointers.

Will Antonio answered with a 3-pointer of his own off a pass by David for a two point Powerade lead
but Leo Najorda scored on the next play with 23 seconds remaining to force overtime.

The count was tied twice more in overtime before big man JR Quinahan completed a Josh
Urbiztondo’s assist on a lay-up and Air21 took the lead to stay with 2:15 to go as the Tigers were
held scoreless the rest of the way.

Top rookie pick Rabeh Al-Hussaini showed the way for the Express with 22 points but limped out of
the game with under four minutes left in the fourth after hurting his left foot on an off-balanced
shot.

David, the league’s scoring leader, was unstoppable in the first half scoring 20 points on a
6-of-11 shooting. But he hardly had any impact in the second half, going 6 of 21 from the floor as
Air21’s defense clamped down on him.

It made matters worse that Dennis Espino was the only other Tiger in double figures with 14 points
as Powerade picked up its fourth consecutive defeat and fell to 3-7, making it a candidate for one
of the two teams are going to be taking early vacations after the eliminations. (DBC)

The scores:

Air21 98 - Al-Husseini 22, Buenafe 14, Quinahan 13, Gonzales 13,
Matias 8, Najorda 8, Guevarra 6, Urbiztondo 5, Arboleda 3, Baclao 2,
Arellano 2, Sharma 2, Rodriguez 0.

Powerade 94 - David 36, Espino 14, Rizada 8, Antonio 8, Macapagal 7,
Gonzales 6, Reyes 5, Enrile 4, Ritualo 3, Mendoza 3, Anthony 0.

Quarterscores: 27-31, 50-51, 66-70, 90-90, 98-94