Yeo, Lamizana, Taulava propel Air21 to first Comms Cup win

Jane Bracher

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The Air 21 Express kicked their Commissioner's Cup campaign off the right way, defeating the Globalport Batang Pier 83-78

AIR 21 DELIVERS. Import player Herve Lamizana works against the Globalport double team but still managed 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Air21 Express started the new conference on a good note as Joseph Yeo, Asi Taulava and 6-foot-9 import Herve Lamizana combined for 57 points to put away the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 83-78, in the first game of the 2014 PLDT Home TVolusion Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, March 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Lamizana, 33, finished with 22 points–16 of which he poured in the third–along with 10 rebounds and 5 blocks as he delivered down the stretch with the go-ahead reverse deep underneath the rim, 79-78, against the defense of Justin Chua with 1:22 in the game. 

The Ivorian import also executed on defense as he put up a huge wall to protect the rim against the attack of GlobalPort import Evan Brock, who tried for a game-tying basket with 26.9 seconds left. 

This showing, head coach Franz Pumaren explains, is a result of tough motivation. 

“I was a little hard on him (Lamizana) at halftime, saying that this is an import-laden conference and the import should take over,” Pumaren said. “It’s a good thing (he) stepped up in the second half.”

In spite of his impressive debut performance, Pumaren says Lamizana is still out of shape. 

“Right now our main concern is the conditioning of our import.”

The Express spoiled former UST coach Pido Jarencio’s PBA debut as they showed how different a team they are this conference with composure in the clutch amid the Batang Pier’s multiple cracks at the basket. 

Yeo notched 21 markers along with 6 rebounds and 5 dimes, while Taulava made good on 6 of his 15 field goals for 14 points. 

Globalport import Evan Brock goes to the rim against Asi Taulava and Herve Lamizana of Air21. Photo by Nuki Sabio/PBA Images

Mark Cardona added 11 points and 5 boards to help his team, who didn’t exactly play consistently all throughout. 

GlobalPort and Air21 exchanged momentums each quarter with the Batang Pier pouring in 31 points in the second quarter to make up for their 22-14 opening frame showing. 

Jarencio’s first PBA team however sputtered in the third with only 11 points to allow Air21 a 66-56 advantage heading into the final frame.

But it was the Express’ turn to relax as GlobalPort came back, slowly chipping away at the deficit until the 2:46 mark when Brock hammered home an emphatic jam to tie the ballgame, 77-all.  

GlobalPort even led with 1:32 on the clock, 78-77, before Lamizana made the game-winning basket. 

Cabagnot had a slow 4-point production in his debut wearing a GlobalPort jersey after he was traded from the San Miguel Beermen for Sol Mercado. However, with his 8 assists, Cabagnot officially recorded 2000 assists in the PBA, per PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon III. 

Meanwhile, Brock carried the Batang Pier with with 28 points on top of being a relentless rebounding machine with 26 boards. 

Scores:

Air 21 83: Lamizana 22, Yeo 21, Taulava 14, Cardona 11, Borboran 6, Villanueva 4, Burtscher 2, Sharma 2, Atkins 1, Jaime 0, Poligrates 0, Matias 0, Camson 0, Manuel 0. 

Globalport 78: Brock 28, Chua 10, Washington 9, Macapagal 8, Custodio 8, Cabagnot 4, Garcia 4, Romeo 3, Yee 2, Salva 2, Nabong 0, Ponferada 0, Salvador 0. 

Quarters: 22-14; 40-45; 66-56; 83-78.

Rappler.com

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