The Express led the entire match, opening the game with a 5-0 lead and erecting a commanding 17-point advantage with still eight minutes to go in the second quarter.
Al Nasr tried to wrestle the lead with their lethal outside shooting, especially in the middle of the second when Talal Mesabah unleashed three consecutive triples.
But Michael Vincent Belga answered with a couple of 3-point shots to keep Air21 on top, 49-41, going into the third quarter.
The physicality of the game was so intense that Wesley Gonzales and Al Nasr Club’s American import Vincent Jones had a brief scuffle in the third period. They were both thrown out of the game to avoid more tension.
With the 6’11" Al Nasr import out of the match, Air21 took advantage by attacking the shaded lane.
Veteran Saleh Sultan took the cudgels for Al Nasr with his outside shooting and daredevil inside penetration but the big men and backcourt generals of Air21 proved too much for the host team. Air21 had a comfortable 17-point lead in the final two minutes of the game.
“We were able to execute our plays well, unlike in our first game where we still had jet lag," Air21 coach Yeng Guiao said. “Were the officiating fair in our first game, we could have emerged as champions."
Guiao was referring to Express’ 77-80 opening-game loss to the United Arab Emirates National Team, which eventually emerged as champions of the three-day invitational meet.
Air 21 guard Alex Cabagnot was awarded the best playmaker of the tournament participated in by two teams from the Philippine Basketball Association and two squads from the UAE.
In the other game, Coca-Cola bowed to the UAE National Team, 97-89, as the Tigers became the only team without a victory, having lost to Al Nasr and Air21 in their previous matches.
Despite the setbacks, Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol said the invitational tournament provided a good training ground for the team in the coming import-laden PBA Fiesta Cup.
“More than the game, it’s the bonding and preparation for the team," Perasol said.
Both Coca-Cola and Air21 utilized an all-Filipino line-up in the Dubai tournament.
Source: Author Unknown | GMANews.TV
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