Ginebra ousts Air21; tows Barako Bull to quarterfinals

March 28, 2012 7:46pm

Mike Cortez had a near double-double performance as Barangay Ginebra eliminated Air21, 103-87, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Wednesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Cortez had 18 markers and issued nine assists to support import Jackson Vroman's 19-point and 13-rebound feat as the Gin Kings ended the elims with a 6-3 mark.

Ginebra's win also carried Barako Bull (4-5) to the quarterfinals where the Energy will face the Alaska Aces (5-4) in Game One of a best-of-three series that starts Sunday also at the Big Dome.

The Express finished at the tail end of the standings for the second straight conference but fared better in the import-spiced tournament with a 3-6 record compared to their 0-14 mark in the season-opening Philippine Cup.

Mark Caguioa added 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal while the Kings' big men—composed of rookie Dylan Ababou, Rudy Hatfield, Kerby Raymundo, Enrico Villanueva and Willy Wilson—combined for 42 points and 28 rebounds.

Villanueva, who grabbed 10 of Ginebra's 57 total rebounds, put the Kings out of reach with a basket for a 99-79 edge in the five-minute mark of the fourth period.

The Express only trailed by 11 after the third but failed to launch a serious bid to overhaul the Kings' lead in the final 12 minutes of play.

Ginebra also enjoyed an 11-point spread, 53-42, at the turn.

Air21 was only down by one after one quarter and by two, 32-30, early in the second period.

The Express, however, failed to stop the Kings from pulling away with Ginebra posting the first of several double-digit leads with a 12-4 exchange.

Air21 import Marcus Douthit tallied 19 markers, 23 rebounds, four assists, one steal and three blocks while former Letran Knight RJ Jazul shot 6-of-12 from three-point range to also end up with 19 points to go with his three rebounds and four assists.

Nelbert Omolon, James Sena and Ren-Ren Ritualo made 15, 11 and 10 points each also for the Express.— JVP, GMA News

Scores:

Ginebra 103—Vroman 19, Cortez 18, Caguioa 13, Ababou 9, Raymundo 9, W. Wilson 8, Villanueva 8, Hatfield 8, Labagala 6, J. Wilson 3, Cañaleta 2.

Air21 87—Douthit 19, Jazul 19, Omolon 15, Sena 11, Ritualo 10, Hubalde 7, Isip 4, Escobal 2.

Quarter scores: 26-25, 53-42, 78-67, 103-87.


Source: Gmanetwork.com