Game Thursday (Al-Shabab Sports Club Dubai, UAE )
8 p.m. - Barako Bull vs Rain or Shine
Game Friday (Dubai, UAE )
8 p.m. - Rain or Shine vs Ginebra
ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines - Air21 finally snapped a 14-game losing run by clobbering sister-team Barako Bull, 97-88, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup elimination round Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Center here.
Import Marcus Douthit, who played for the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas as a naturalized Filipino, led Air21 (formerly Shopinas.com) by collecting 16 points and 17 rebounds.
Aside from Douthit, the Express also got significant contributions from their two new recruits with Nelbert Omolon tallying a team-high 17 points while Mark Isip added 10 markers. The two were obtained in a trade with Meralco during the break.
Sophomore guard RJ Jazul, also a product of the Smart-Gilas program, provided the spark early as he scored 11 of his 15 points in the first period that saw the Express take a 33-13 lead.
A three-point play by Omolon gave Air21 its biggest lead of the game at 27 points, 51-25, with five minutes left in the second quarter.
The closest Barako Bull got was cut the deficit to nine points, 79-88, on a triple by Wynne Aroboleda with 3:05 left in the game.
Air21's 0-14 was the longest losing skid and the worst r in PBA history.
Barako Bull dropped to 1-2.
In the other game, Petron Blaze snapped a two-game skid to score its first win this conference by dealing B-Meg its first defeat in three games, 84-77. Import Nick Fazekas led the Boosters with 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) appointed Vincent ''Chot'' Reyes as head coach of the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas II yesterday but will remain as mentor of Talk 'N Text until the end of ongoing PBA season.
The announcement was made by SBP President and TNT owner Manny V. Pangilinan.
''While we are extremely happy with Chot's performance with our TNT team these past years,'' said Pangilinan in a statement. ''Our duty to flag and country dictates that we engage the right person for this important national position.''
Ateneo coach Norman Black will take Reyes' position as TNT coach.
The scores:
First Game
Air21 97 - Omolon 17, Douthit 16, Jazul 15, Sena 13, Isip 10, Escobal 7, Duncil 6, Hubalde 5, Ritualo 5, Espiritu 3, Mirza 0, Faundo 0.
Barako Bull 88 - Johnson 37, Miller 14, Arboleda 12, Najorda 9, Allado 6, Seigle 4, Lanete 2, Pennisi 2, Pena 2, Weinstein 0, Salvador 0, Tubid 0.
Quarters: 33-13, 57-36, 77-60, 97-88.
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