AIR21’s defensive capabilities may sometimes break down. But the Express can still turn it on when needed.

This Alaska found out to its chagrin as Air21 held the Aces scoreless in the most crucial stage to pull off an 86-79 win last night in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Wynne Arboleda typified that tenacity by stealing twice, scoring four points and feeding for two more during a decisive break from a close 76-73 count and into an unassailable 85-74 count, 1:18 to go.

The Aces went without a field goal in more than a four minute-span, enabling the Express to vault to their third win in six games and move into a tie for fifth place with Magnolia.

The Beverage Masters, however, could break out of that tie should they win over league-leading Red Bull (5-1) in an out-of-town game at the De La Salle Sentrum in Lipa City today.

"Malaking bagay talaga si Wynne," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol. "Our other guards may just be running our plays, but Wynne sees everything."

The loss was Alaska’s second straight, marking the first time the defending champion lost back-to-back games in the tournament. It dropped to a 2-4 in a tie with Welcoat at ninth.

Since Alaska was playing without suspended import Randy Holcomb, Air21 was supposed to win by a mile. But the Aces showed the grit of a champion and managed to pull its act together after falling behind by 18 points in the early goings.

Perasol himself admitted his worst fears almost came true.

"It is not easy going up against an import-less team since there is always the chance they will step up and there will be times when we can become complacent," he said. "We were complacent and I just thank God we were able to also make a run in the end."

Perasol added that trying to blend a more tenacious defensive attitude to his offensive-minded team has been hard.

"We’re struggling a bit in our (defensive) philosophy right now," he said, "but we need to be defensive-minded to improve our standing. We have to incorporate the hard work entailed by being defensive and, at the same time, not letting up on our offense."