ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — Air21 coach Bo Perasol’s gamble on Arwind Santos paid off in the end.

“I know Arwind so well, and I knew that there was no chance that he would stop shooting,” Perasol said after Santos scored Air21’s final five points to spark an 82-78 victory over Magnolia and give the Air21 Express a 2-1 lead in their Smart-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup semifinal series.

Santos struggled to keep a grip on the ball in several plays, threw up so many off-line shots and was practically nowhere when Air21 overhauled an eight-point deficit heading into the final eight minutes of the run-and-gun game at the Ynares Center here.

But the sophomore swingman redeemed himself with a triple that stretched a 77-76 Air21 lead to four before draining two free throws to put the game to bed and round out scoring with 9.7 seconds left.

The favored Magnolia Beverage Masters had earlier scooted to a 72-64 lead after a Danny Ildefonso jumper heading into the final 7:58.

But Gary David, the league’s Most Improved Player two years ago, scored the last 10 points, including two straight triples, of a 13-4 run that boosted the Express ahead to stay, 77-76 with 2:03 left.

After Magnolia lapsed into a 24-second violation, Santos dropped the three-point bomb from which the Beverage Masters never recovered.

It was the second straight win in the series for the Express, whose only loss, a lopsided one in the opener, came with Steven Thomas still in the United States to join the Cleveland Cavaliers’ NBA tryout.

Air21 also remained unbeaten against Magnolia with Thomas in the lineup, having swept the Beverage Masters in two elimination round meetings.

Perasol, though, still refused to acknowledge having a significant edge in the series.

“What’s important is that the team retains its focus and its desire,” Perasol said. “It was also a good thing that this team matured together and that they are one in working for results.

“We know for a fact that Magnolia will try to find ways to come back, and we must be prepared for that.”

The pivotal fourth game of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday in the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Magnolia erected leads of many as nine points in the first quarter and actually had complete control until the Beverage Masters were held to just six points in the last 7:58.

The Beverage Masters groped for baskets with Danny Seigle riding the bench because of fever and dehydration. Seigle was inserted into the contest in the final 9.7 seconds but failed to get a touch.

First Game:

AIR21 82 — David 17, Se 12, Santos 11, Arboleda 11, Thomas 9, Canaleta 8, De Ocampo 7, Intal 5, Sotto 2, Cruz 0, Espinas 0, Billones 0.

MAGNOLIA 78 — McCaskill 16, Tugade 15, Pena 12, Racela 9, Ildefonso 8, Pingris 7, Cortez 6, Hontiveros 5, Gonzales 0.

Quarters: 17-24, 41-41, 57-62, 82-78