Air21 climbs out of cellar with close win over Coca-Cola

Air21 is oozing with newfound hope. Finally playing with original import choice LeRoy Hickerson, the Air21 Express fought with renewed confidence and got some relief on a 104-102 decision over the Coca-Cola Tigers in the PBA Fiesta Conference Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“LeRoy could be a game changer with the way he played just two days and two walk-throughs with us. Too soon to say but I think he has the personality to lead the team and the ability to put up numbers,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

The fourth Air21 import after Keena Young, Jason Forte and Reggie Larry, Hickerson debuted with 29 points and 15 rebounds, helping the Express prop up their sagging bid for the playoffs.

“We’re still down in the standings, in a precarious situation, but at least we’ve gotten a full-game advantage over Barako Energy Coffee,” said Guiao.

“We still have hope, specially with LeRoy coming in,” Guiao added.

Doug Kramer came through with a rare double-double performance with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Mike Cortez added 18 points and Wynne Arboleda 12 as the Express nailed a third win in 14 games.

They moved up to ninth place, leaving the Energy Coffee Masters alone in the cellar at 2-11.

The Tigers had a chance to steal the game but Paolo Mendoza missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds.

Instead, the Tigers slid to 5-9.

Coca-Cola engaged Air21 in a fierce battle with Gary David matching Hickerson’s 29-point output and Rashad Bell getting away with a huge double-double with 26 points and 24 rebounds.

The Express, however, got big breaks at endgame with Kramer coming through with uncharacteristic plays giving Air21 a 103-97 cushion with 57.8 ticks left.

But the Tigers came back into the thick of things, 101-103, on two free throws each by David and Bell.

Coca-Cola later got the opportunity to force overtime as Cortez split his foul shots with 8.8 seconds left to play.

After a timeout, the Tigers went to Mendoza. The former UP Maroon got an open shot but couldn’t convert, thus, Air was able to avenge a 96-100 loss to Coca-Cole in their previous tiff. (SB)

The scores:

Air21 104 – Hickerson 29, Cortez 18, Kramer 14, Arboleda 12, Matias 8, Sharma 8, Belga 5, Buenafe 5, Alvarez 3, Ritualo 2, Gonzales 0, Yee 0.

Coca-Cola 102 – David 29, Bell 26, Cruz 10, Espino 10, Macapagal 8, Taulava 6, Rizada 4, Calimag 4, Mendoza 3, Gonzales 2, Allera 0, Bono 0.

Quarters: 25-27, 48-50, 77-75, 104-102