PBA Roundup: Mar. 7, 2012

Bitoy Omolon's offensive explosion helped
propel the Express past the Texters.

*All images are by Paolo Papa/InterAKTV.com

AIR21 EXPRESS over TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS, 89-78

There was an upside and a downside to Marcus Douthit being reportedly under the weather Wednesday. The bad thing was he finished with just six points, but he more than made up for that with a PBA career-high-tying 26 rebounds and a huge inside presence for Air21.

Besides, the Express had other weapons in their arsenal that were enough for shocking win over erstwhile unbeaten Talk ‘N Text. Bitoy Omolon was foremost among those who shone for Air21 with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Jojo Duncil, Mark Isip and RJ Jazul also made significant contributions, enabling the Express to shrug off Douthit's measly point production, arrest a two-game slide and jack their overall win-loss

record to an even 2-2.

New import Donnell Harvey debuted with 21 points and a league season-high 28 rebounds, but he and the rest of the Tropang Texters faded when the game entered the stretch and their winning streak was cut short at three.

A21 89 - Omolon 23, Duncil 16, Isip16, Jazul 12, Sena 8, Douthit 6, Ritualo 4, Sison 2, Hubalde 2, Escobal 0, Aquino 0.

TNT 78 - Harvey 21, De Ocampo 13, Castro 12, Fonacier 11, Dillinger 8, Alapag 7, Gamalinda 2, Carey 2, Peek 2, Aguilar 0, Reyes 0, Williams 0.

QS: 25-18, 42-37, 64-58, 89-78

Mark Isip (R) and the rest of Air21 were able to
hold off Ali Peek (L) and the rest of TNT.

Donnel Harvey (M) outplayed Marcus Douthit (R), but it was
the latter who still came up with the big win.

MERALCO BOLTS over BGY. GINEBRA KINGS, 89-80

Meralco gained some relief, pumping back life on its sagging bid as it drubbed Barangay Ginebra. The Bolts pounced on the Kings as Jackson Vroman sat out long minutes in the second half due to fouls, building a huge 18-point lead it used as cushion in the face of Ginebra’s endgame chase.

Earl Barron also got into foul trouble early, but coped up with the situation, leading Meralco to its second win in six starts in the mid-season tourney. The Bolts moved up to ninth place, leaving the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters by their lonesome at the cellar. The Kings, meanwhile, slid to joint second place with the Alaska Aces, the B-Meg Llamados and the Petron Blaze Boosters at 3-2. Half-game behind are Air21 and Powerade at 2-2.

Barron top scored with 27 points with Cardona adding 25 and Sol Mercado 17.

MB 89 - Barron 27, Cardona 25, Mercado 17, Hugnatan 8, Espinas 6, Ross 2, Borboran 2, Taulava 2, Timberlake 0, Macapagal 0.

BGK 80 - Vroman 19, Caguioa 19, Villanueva 8, Ababou 7, Mamaril 6, Cortez 6, Helterbrand 4, Labagala 3, Canaleta 3, Raymundo 3, Wilson W. 2, Hatfield 0.

QS: 16-22, 41-35, 66-50, 89-80