AIR21 import Michael Dunigan (No. 33) INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Sans its starting playmaker Mike Cortez, who is nursing a calf injury, and with import Michael Dunigan bothered by a left leg contusion, Air21 needed every bit of Nino Canaleta Saturday night.
And Canaleta didn’t disappoint with 37 points highlighted by a franchise-tying nine triples to lead the ailing yet capable Express over fancied Petron Blaze and into the playoffs for the second straight year.
“We knew this was a must-win game for us,” the six-foot-six Canaleta told INQUIRER.net in Filipino inside their dugout at the SM Mall of Asia Arena following a 95-91 win that completed the quarterfinals cast. “Much-needed win to let our import and Mike (Cortez) get some rest before the playoffs.”
Had the Express lost that night, they would still need to play Barako Bull for the eighth and final playoffs spot; instead Air21 earned a much-needed rest and time to prepare for a quarterfinals encounter with top team Alaska, which Canaleta said a team they really wanted to face.
“It’s a good thing our other import stepped up,” said Air21 Franz Pumaren referring to Canaleta, the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week (April 8 to 14).
The former University of the East forward Canaleta, who made a name for himself being the league’s slam dunk king, just proved he’s more than just that – capping off his impressive play with a three-point play that gave the lead to the Express, who trailed by as much as 17 points in the second quarter, for good in overtime 92-89.
“They were able to defend Michael (Dunigan) so I was given the green light to go for it,” added the 31-year-old Canaleta.
Canaleta, who once lit up for 41 points against GlobalPort last Philippine Cup, is averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game this season.
And with his game continuing to evolve, Pumaren, who thinks Canaleta deserves to be this season’s Most Improved Player, might just turn out to be right.