PBA: Atkins’ hot hand helps Air21 spoil Alaska’s twice-to-beat bid
Simon Atkins of Air21 (dark) vs Gabby Espinas of Alaska (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – Air21 foiled Alaska’s twice-to-beat bid in the quarterfinals following a 121-107 win in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Simon Atkins knocked in a career-best 22 points, built on six-of-six shooting from long range, to help the Express keep their flatlining playoff hopes going.
“We had a good start because of that torrid shooting of Simon (Atkins),” said Air21 head coach Franz Pumaren of his guard. “One thing nice with Simon there’s no substitute for hard work. He is always the first one to come in practice and the last one to come out and do extra work. And it’s paying dividends.”
Zachary Graham led the Express, whose chances for a quarterfinals berth now lies on Talk ‘N Text, with 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
“It’s too bad that our destiny right now is not in our hands,” said Pumaren. In the event that we don’t make the playoffs, I’m still proud of my team. Even though it’s been a roller coaster ride, it’s still an added motivation for us,” added Pumaren.
TNT would need to beat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel by more than 22 points for Air 21 to secure a playoff with the Tropang Texters for the last quarterfinals slot.
New recruits Joseph Yeo and Asi Taulava also had a solid game. Yeo scored 21 points and dished out seven assists while the veteran big man Taulava had seven points and 10 rebounds.
“That’s the advantage of having a Joseph Yeo. We have a guy who can create. Advantage with Asi, there’s always going to help. Other teams still respect him,” said Pumaren.
“That’s the downside when you make changes during the course of the season but I think the trade that has been made had benefitted us down the road.”
Wendell McKines led the Aces, who set up a quarterfinals meeting with heated rivals San Mig Coffee Mixers, with 43 points and 16 rebounds.
Air 21 shot an all-time best 61.1% from the field including a 13-of-22 shooting from downtown.
Atkins’ perfect shooting from beyond-the-arc tied the record for most three-pointers made without a miss in a single game.
“With the last three games, he assumed that [starting point guard] role on a high note. Hopefully he can continue doing that,” said Pumaren.
