Canaleta sizzles as Air21 stuns Petron in OT

With their playoff hopes precariously hanging in the balance, KG Canaleta made sure Air21 wouldn’t miss a trip to the quarterfinals.

The 6-foot-6 forward sizzled with 37 points, built around a franchise record nine triples, as the Express completed the eight-team playoff cast with a resounding 95-91 overtime win over the Petron Blaze Boosters Saturday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

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More known for his high-leaping ability, the former University of the East standout made most of the damage from beyond the arc then came through with a decisive three-point play in the extension to help Air21 complete its uprising from an early 17-point hole.

More than snapping an alarming three-game slide, the Express capped their eliminations campaign on a high note, notching their sixth win in 14 outings while fully crushing the slim hopes of ninth-running Barako Bull (4-9).

Up next for Air21 is the eliminations topnotcher Alaska (11-3), with the Aces armed with a twice-to-beat edge.

Petron Blaze led by as many as 33-16 early in the second canto behind the exploits of import Henry Sims but eventually lost its offensive groove, making just four measly points in the extra five-minute period.

Thus, the Boosters fell to their sixth loss against seven wins, provisionally slipping in third in the company of sister teams Barangay Ginebra and San Mig Coffee.

What’s worse, the stunning loss also ended Petron’s hopes of catching up No.2 Rain or Shine (9-4) for the second and last twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.

Import Henry Sims led the Boosters with 30 points but 22 of those came in the first half, while Marcio Lassiter added 23.
 
 
MVP: Canaleta is fast proving he’s comfortable being a spot-up three-point shooter and not just a high-flying dunker.

Carrying the Express on his shoulders, the multi-awarded slam dunk champion shot the lights out from the trifecta then highlighted his offensive brilliance with a go-ahead three-point play over the outstretched arms of Petron’s Jay Washington for a 92-89 cushion with 1:48 left to play.

Canaleta then sealed the deal by splitting his free throws that pegged the final tally, time down to just 3.9 ticks.
 
X-Factor: With import Michael Dunigan groping due to an injured knee and starting playmaker Mike Cortez nursing an injury, BonBon Custodio came off the bench and provided the needed support for Canaleta, tallying eight of his 14 points in the second half.
 
Game Turning Point: Trailing 79-84 with 2:57 left in regulation, the Express scored eight straight points, capped by Canaleta’s ninth triple, for a three-point lead, but Lassiter answered back with a crucial trey that forced the extension.

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Instead of getting demoralized, Air21 kept coming back and eventually put Petron Blaze away in the extension.
 
Quotable Quotes: “It’s a big win for us. At least, we were able to survive. I stressed to the players to keep the game close and we might pull out a surprise. Beating the most talented team is a good springboard for us. I hope the players would not just be satisfied in reaching the quarterfinals,” stated Air21 mentor Franz Pumaren.
 
 
The scores:
 
AIR 21 (95) – Canaleta 37, Dunigan 18, Custodio 14, Arboleda 10, Baclao 6, Isip 4, Omolon 4, Atkins 2, Sena 0, Wilson 0, Menor 0, Ritualo 0.

PETRON (91) – Sims 30, Lassiter 23, Washington 15, Fajardo 5, Miranda 5, Lutz 4, Cabagnot 3, Lanete 2, Santos 2, Pena 2, Tubid 0.
Quarterscores: 16-29, 44-54, 72-74, 87-87, 95-91