Ronjay Buenafe delivers victory for Air21 over Powerade
Air21 105 vs. Powerade 95
by rick olivares
November 3, 2010
Araneta Coliseum
In a battle between two of the most dynamic scorers in the Philippine Basketball Association, Ronjay Buenafe strapped the struggling Air21 Express on his back to beat the Gary David-led Powerade Tigers 102-95 in the first game of the Wednesday night double header at the Araneta Coliseum.
Buenafe scored seven points in the final two minutes including a three-ball following a crucial loose ball recovery that broke Powerade’s back.
The Express played “ugly ball” as head coach Yeng Guiao described their overall effort for three quarters before getting their act together to claim their first victory at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippine Cup of Season 36 of the PBA.
Air21 shot a “horrible 24.5% in the first half and also lost the rebounding battle to the Tigers who countered the Express’ youthful frontline of Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao with veterans Dennis Espino and Rob Reyes who combined for 16 points and 20 rebounds. The Express rookies tallied a concerted 13 points and 15.0 rebounds for the night but it was JR Quiñahan and Wesley Gonzales who carried them in the early goings.
However come the fourth period, the Express pushed the tempo anchored on Buenafe’s lane incursions to draw level and eventually take the lead. Air21 outscored Powerade 18-8 from the halfway mark of the final period to secure the win and to even their Philippine Cup record to 3-3 while Powerade fell to 3-4 in the standings.
“This is no way to win a basketball game,” lamented Guiao of his crew’s inability to play cohesive hoops. “I thought that they (Powerade) relaxed and that gave us some breathing room. We labored until our shots starting going in.”
The game featured a marquee match up between David, the league’s leading scorer heading into the match with a 24.0 ppg average and Buenafe, the fifth leading point producer with a 17.2 ppg average. Although both players scored 28 points apiece for the game, it was the latter who was far more effective in the endgame. Buenafe scored 11 to David’s 10 in the fourth quarter. And it was the former EAC General’s third and final steal off the Tigers’ Chico Lanete that led to the trey that gave Air21 a five-point lead 100-95 with 34.9 to play.
“He bailed us out.” praised Guaio after the match. “Ronjay is ready to be an elite player in the league. All he requires is a little more maturity in his decisions and pacing.”
Air21 102 – Buenafe 28, Quinahan 19, Gonzales 10, Matias 9, Al-Hussaini 7, Najorda 7, Baclao 6, Urbiztondo 4, Sharma 4, Arboleda 4, Guevarra 2, Rodriguez 2
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