PBA: Hot Ginebra wins fifth straight against hapless Express

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:20 pm

The Barangay Ginebra Kings posted a 28-9 first quarter against the Air 21 Express and never looked back, cruising to a 00-00 win on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings led by as much as 34 points at the end of the third period, 81-47, after freethrows from JJ Helterbrand, as the Express struggled on offense and defense throughout the game for the blowout loss.

"Guys are playing more to their roles. It's a good win for us but dikit-dikit kami e," said Barangay Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquingcen. "It's still a long way to go; maganda na nanalo kami but we still cannot let our guard down. We have to keep working."

The Express shot a paltry 21% from the field in the opening period while failing to prevent the Gin Kings from heating up early. It was only at the 1:12 mark when James Sena snapped a five-minute drought with a short stab, 26-9, before a Chris Ellis hook shot ended the period.

It was all Ginebra in the second period, as Siot Tanquingcen's boys pushed for a balanced scoring effort. A Tenorio layup on the fastbreak made it a 33-point game, 48-15, before Wynne Arboleda and Mike Cortez salvaged six points, 50-23.

A Rico Maierhofer layup followed by a Tenorio trey made it a 30-point game yet again, before Arboloda and John Wilson strung five straight to end the half with the Kings up 25, 55-30.

Rookie Ellis was the main man for Ginebra on Friday, as the athletic guard posted 18 points with a 7-of-9 shooting clip. LA Tenorio and Rudy Hatfield added 15 and 11, respectively.

Wynne Arboleda posted 17 points, most of them in garbage time. Nelbert Omolon had 12 while KG Canaleta had 11, while Mike Cortez was limited to seven points. - RAF, GMA News

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: GMAnetwork