Asi Taulava lifts Air21 past Globalport

AIR21 import Dominique Sutton (right) goes for a basket off Globalport’s Dior Lowhorn. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Refusing to be slowed down by a busted eyebrow, Asi Taulava played as big as his massive frame in the stretch to lead Air21 to a 106-102 win over Globalport Wednesday night and nearer a twice-to-beat incentive in the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs at PhilSports Arena.

After leaving the game with 3:06 left in the second period with a bloodied left eyebrow, Taulava returned briefly in the third before proving to be the big difference inside the final two minutes as the Express rose to 5-3.

Jonas Villanueva also scored crucial free throws in the stretch, but it was Taulava who rescued the Express after Air21 blew a 16-point lead and even trailed early in the final frame.

It was the sixth straight loss for the Batang Pier, who again became the first team to bow out of contention under new coach Pido Jarencio and left Barako Bull, Alaska and Meralco to battle it out for the remaining two playoff slots.

“Knowing the gladiator in him, he wanted to finish this (game),” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren, who is looking to steer his over-achieving Express deep in the playoffs for the second straight tournament.

“We need to get another win come Saturday (against San Miguel Beer),” Pumaren said.

“Good thing there’s still two days to go before we play San Miguel (so Taulava can get his injury to heal some).”

Taulava scored six of Air21’s final 10 points and had a couple of crucial defensive rebounds, including the one that sealed the deal after a Ronjay Buenafe miss from three-point land.

Dominique Sutton led the Express with 28 points and carried the offensive and defensive load when Taulava went in and out of the game.

The 6-foot-10 Taulava suffered the cut after getting an accidental elbow from Dior Lowhorn.

Play was stopped for a while to allow Taulava to step off the floor, but the former MVP didn’t go to the hospital to get the cut stitched and instead returned to finish the game.

He hit a shotclock-beating layup that made it 102-99 for Air21 going into the final 23.5 seconds.

The scores

First Game

AIR21 106—Sutton 28, Taulava 17, Villanueva J. 15, Yeo 13, Ramos 8, Atkins 6, Borboran 5, Poligrates 4, Cardona 4, Villanueva E. 2, Burtscher 2, Camson 2, Menor 0.

GLOBALPORT 102—Lowhorn 35, Cabagnot 19, Washington 19, Buenafe 16, Romeo 7, Macapagal 4, Menk 2, Yee 0, Lingganay 0, Hayes 0, Salvador 0, Garcia 0, Acuna 0.

Quarters: 29-20, 55-47, 78-75, 106-102