Air21 banked on its torrid outside shooting in the fourth period to pull off a 102-95 victory over the Coca-Cola Tigers in Sunday’s first game of the PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Express also did well defensively down the stretch to hand the Tigers their first loss in the tournament while chalking up their second win in four games.

Steven Thomas had 25 points and 15 rebounds while Arwind Santos added 21 and 14 rebounds as the Express spoiled the debut of celebrated Coke import George Gervin Jr.

Gervin, son of NBA legend George “the Iceman” Gervin, topscored for the Tigers with 26 points but got little support from his teammates.

Coke’s other import Jason Dixon had 16, but Mark Macapagal was the lone local to score in double-figures with 10.

Air21’s locals, on the other hand, joined forces offensively in the fourth to withstand a Coke rally in the second half.

A barrage of three-pointers by Wynnie Arboleda and Arwind Santors erected a 89-78 lead for the Express that clearly took the wind out of Coke’s sails.

Homer Se was also a force in the shaded lane as he and Arboleda had 17 each.

Meanwhile, Coke’s Mark Telan became the 34th member of the elite 1,000-offensive rebounds club midway through the game.

Air21 coach Bo Perasol pointed out after the game that the win is dedicated to the memory of Aquilino Alvarez, Sr., who passed away last Friday. He was the father of team manager and Air21 president Lito Alvarez.

In the second game, Magnolia streaked to its second straight win with a 91-86 win over Talk ‘n Text.

Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half as the Beverage Masters improved to 2-2 (win-loss) after losing their first two games of the conference.

BOX SCORES:
Air 21 102 - Thomas 25, Santos 21, Se 17, Arboleda 17, De Ocampo 10, Canaleta 8, Kramer 2, Cruz 2, Sotto 0.
Coke 95 - Gervin 26, Dixon 16, Buenafe 11, Macapagal 10, Taulava 9, Belasco 8, Catli 6, Cabagnot 6, Telan 3.
Quarterscores: 25-17, 48-41, 67-65, 102-95. /Copy Editor Brian J. Ochoa