By NOLI CORTEZ

AIR21 played with an undermanned lineup but still humbled Welcoat 105-96 last night for an auspicious start in the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ranidel De Ocampo and Arwind Santos combined for 49 points while import Steve Thomas added 23 points and 15 rebounds as the Express tied early winner Coca-Cola for the early lead.

Gary David saw limited action due to a gimpy knee while JC Intal, Gabby Espinas, Homer Se and Ervin Sotto all nursed an assortment of injuries and illnesses. Air21 coach Bo Perasol said their absence could have helped the team focus on their new goal.

"I do not know if our commitment to defense had a great effect in this game, but we were giving up 106 points up in the last conference and 96 is a big improvement," said Perasol. "We can be better as the conferences progress."

Robert Wainwright led Welcoat with 24 points, 10 coming during a big third quarter rally that cut a 20-point deficit to just six. But the Dragons still fell to a league-tying 12th straight loss dating back to the last conference, due mainly to the relative ineffectiveness of their imports and the absence of any other local to step up.

Six-foot Corey Santee had 19 points and a game-high nine assists but fellow American Jason Keep, who reported for duty almost 15 pounds overweight barely five days ago, was hardly a factor with only 12 points. The 6-foot-10 behemoth did have 15 rebounds.

Air21’s defense was at its stingiest in the second quarter when it limited Welcoat to just 10 points.