Air21-RP bags third

People's Journal
October 4, 2007

SHENZHEN, China -- Air21-RP rookie JC Intal sizzled in his breakout performance as a pro, scoring 17 points to lead the Express to a 93-84 blasting of Winling-Hong Kong at the close of the 2007 Grand Waldo-Asian Basketball Association Basketball Championship in Dongguan City in Shenzhen, China here over the weekend.

Intal joined forces with the high-leaping KG Canaleta, who had 13 points, in handing the Express their third win against two losses, enough to give the visiting RP squad third place in the six-nation invitational tournament.

Samsung of Korea won the title via a five-game sweep, while Iran, backstopped by five members of its national team, settled for runner-up honors.

"This tournament will prove to be a very valuable experience for the team. Firstly, because we played against taller and heftier teams and secondly, because we played using Fiba rules which are slowly being implemented by the PBA," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol, who was assisted by Johny Tam and Ching Marcelino in the ABA tournament.

Earlier, the Express, whose trip to China was partly bankrolled by Mighty Filter Kings Corp., Burlington Socks and Federal Tyres, dropped a close 92-86 decision to Iran, which got the needed break in the final 46 seconds of a close match that could have gone Air21's way.

A "crossed" call by two referees, one calling an offensive foul against Canaleta and the other a blocking foul against his Iranian defender ended up in a compromise call of "pushing" that still went against the Express.

Canaleta's attempt, which went in, was counted, but two free throws were awarded to an Iranian player who made both and gave the Iranians a three-point lead and the momentum en route to the win.

"We'll just charge it to experience. Breaks of the game, but at least we showed that we're no pushovers," added Perasol.