Red-hot Ginebra destroys Air 21

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel came out with all guns blazing, putting together its finest performance of the PBA Philippine Cup in a 99-76 demolition of Air 21 Friday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings trailed only once — 1-0 on a free throw by Express center Noy Baclao — before totally dominating the ball game for their fifth straight win. Ginebra retained fourth place in the standings with a 7-5 win-loss record, bringing it just a game behind Rain or Shine.

The final score does not indicate just how lopsided the game was.

The first quarter ended with Ginebra up big, 28-9, and it only got worse for Air 21 after that. The Gin Kings began the second quarter with a 10-1 run en route to a 55-29 halftime lead.

So dominant was Ginebra that it did not lead by less than 20 points the rest of the way. The Gin Kings advantage ballooned to as much as 34 points, 81-47, at the end of the third quarter.

Chris Ellis led the charge for Ginebra with 18 points, four rebounds, and a sensational highlight dunk in the second half that seemed to break the Express’ spirits.

It was Air 21′s fourth straight loss, and ninth in 13 games. The Express hold a half-game lead for the final playoff spot over Barako Bull, which lost earlier in the evening.

The scores:

GINEBRA 99 – Ellis 18, Tenorio 15, Hatfield 11, Helterbrand 9, Mamaril 8, Caguioa 8, Raymundo 8, Wilson 7, Maierhofer 4, Espiritu 3, Taha 2, Jensen 2, Maliksi 2, Labagala 2.

AIR 21 76 – Arboleda 17, Omolon 12, Canaleta 11, Ritualo 8, Wilson 7, Cortez 7, Isip 4, Sena 3, Baclao 3, Reyes 2, Andaya 2, Atkins 0, Custodio 0.

Quarters: 28-9, 55-29, 81-47, 99-76


source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/