GINEBRA EASILY DISPOSES OFF AIR21
Barangay Ginebra fought back into contention for the Top Four in the PBA Governors Cup eliminations as the Kings, on a strong second half, ripped the Air21 Express, 106-93, Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Ahead by just three, 54-51, at the half, the Kings made one key spurt after another in the last two quarters in turning back the Express for their second win in five games.
Dior Lowhorn tossed in 35 points while LA Tenorio made 18 points, 14 assists, seven rebounds and two steals as the Kings snapped a two-game losing skein and forged a three-way tie at seventh with the San Mig Coffee Mixers and the Globalport Batang Pier, within striking distance of all the teams in the upper rungs of the chart.
Mark Caguioa, Willy Wilson and Jayjay Helterbrand contributed double-digit outputs for the Kings who dealt the Express a fourth straight loss and fifth in six games in all.
The Kings improved to 3-0 at the Cuneta Astrodome in the current season.
“Nagbago kami ng starting lineup at medyo nahirapan kami noong una. But we eventually progressed. Gumanda ang matchup,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
“We go small (lineup) in a bid to make up for our weaknesses. Pwersado naman kami talagang magmaliit dahil wala si Japeth (Aguilar) at Kerby (Raymundo),” Agustin also said.
The Kings used quickness to offset their height disadvantage and they eventually got their bearing in the second half, going on to notch the crucial win.
Lowhorn, Tenorio, Wilson, Helterbrand and Chris Ellis composed the Ginebra starting unit that hit strides in the third quarter, building a huge 19-point lead at 80-61.
The Kings went on to dominate the game to the finish, keeping control with an up-tempo game.
Quickness and aggressiveness helped the Kings win the battle off the boards, 48-40, despite a smaller lineup.
“Kaya lang di namin kayang gawin ito ng tuloy-tuloy. Kailangan pa rin namin palakasin ang frontline namin,” said Agustin.
Agustin said No. 1 in their radar is free agent Eric Menk.
The two teams figured in a shootout in the opening quarter that went Air21’s way, 33-29.
But Lowhorn imposed his inside presence and the Kings toughened up on defense in the second quarter, and thus seized a three-point edge at the half. (SB)
The scores:
Ginebra 106 – Lowhorn 35, Caguioa 20, Tenorio 18, Wilson 11, Helterbrand 10, Baracael 6, Ellis 4, Mamaril 2, Ababou 0, Urbiztondo 0, Maierhofer 0.
Air 21 93 – Graham 38, Canaleta 17, Manuel 12, Sena 6, Sharma 6, Menor 4, Cortez 4, Custodio 2, Isip 2, Arboleda 2, Omolon 0.
Quarters: 29-33, 54-51, 84-69, 106-93
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