Mike Burstcher (down), Ronnie Matias and Aldrech Ramos of Air21 (light) vs Josh Dollard of Barako (dark). Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines — Air21 clamped down on Joshua Dollard and clobbered Barako Bull, 103-85, Friday night in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Express took away the Energy’s top scoring option to take full control of the game as the prolific-scoring Dollard, who scored 45 points against Ginebra last week, only had 12 points.
“Our primary concern was to hold down Dollard and minimize his input. Herve [Lamizana] was able to limit the point production of Dollard, he gives us another dimension,” said head coach Franz Pumaren.
Lamizana came back from a scoreless first half to finish with 24 points, all but three coming in the third quarter.
“He’s like on diesel. In the second half, he gets his rhythm,” said Pumaren of his import.
His third quarter explosion helped the Express pull away after a mere seven-point halftime lead as they pushed the lead to 20 with 1:10 in the quarter.
Air21 led by as many as 35 points, 93-58, with 7:26 to play after a triple from transferee Aldrech Ramos and a bucket from veteran big man Asi Taulava.
The Express got a huge boost from their bench as Ramos added a career-best 17 points, Mark Cardona with 15 and Taulava with 14, along with 10 boards.
The win puts Air21 at 2-1 early in this short conference while Barako Bull dropped to 1-2.
JC Intal and Dennis Miranda led the Energy in a losing effort with 18 points apiece.