Three-time slam dunk king KG Canaleta showed yesterday the way things are done when the breaks of the game are on your side, firing 19 points in the fourth period to bring Coca-Cola Tigers down, 104-86, in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The loss, second consecutive for the Tigers after yielding 99-91 to Alaska Aces Wednesday, foiled Coca-Cola’s attempt to regain the second spot in the standings dropping to third place behind Talk ‘N Text with its 6-4 win-loss record while the Express now carries a 5-4 card.

The win was a boost to Air21’s pride as they swept the Tigers in their conference eliminations showdown following a 102-95 win in their first meeting last April 13.

Ranidel de Ocampo contributed 21 points while import Steve Thomas had double-double 11 with 20 rebounds. Gary David added 10.

The Express won even with Thomas coming up with his lowest scoring output in the conference.

Holding a two-point lead, 73-71, Canaleta’s three-pointer sparked a 17-2 run that gave Air21 a 90-73 advantage with 7:23 to play. The former University of the East stalwart had 10 points in that run.

A third-year forward who sports a mo-hawk hairstyle, Canaleta’s performance impressed several foreign scouts from Korea and Tony Lang, the one-time Red Bull Best Import winner who powered the Barakos to the 2001 Commissioner’s Cup title.

Lang, who starred for the Duke Blue Devils in the early 90s, is currently a scout for Nagoya’s professional team in the Japan Basketball League.

Canaleta’s 19 points in the fourth is the most by any local player in a quarter this conference.

The loss was Coke’s second straight after its 91-99 defeat to defending champion Alaska last Wednesday. The Tigers, who lost back-to-back games for the first time in the conference, dropped to 6-4.

The Tigers’ two imports struggled as Jason Dixon converted just 7-of-14 to finish with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Gee Gervin was limited to 10 on 5-of-12 from the field. The two also combined for eight turnovers.

Rookie guard Ronjay Buenafe, the former stalwart of Emilio Aguinaldo College, had 14 points while playmaker Alex Cabagnot added 13 and Asi Taulava had 12 with nine boards.

Air21 shot 40-of-81 or 49.4 percent from the field and limited Coke to 35-of-81 or 43.2 percent. The Express also controlled the boards, 48-38.*

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