Kings of the road put brakes on Express

ZAMBOANGA – Can’t blame Barangay Ginebra if it craves for more out-of-town games.

The Kings have been on a sort of fairytale ride on the road, scoring a 10th straight win outside the metropolis with a 102-88 whipping of the FedEx Express in the Gran Matador Fiesta Cup at the Zamboanga City Coliseum here last night.

Ginebra played tough on both ends of the court in a big comeback from a sorry loss to Purefoods Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum, keeping its success travel story dating back to the 2003 Reinforced Conference.

In contrast, FedEx extended its awful showing in out-of-town matches, picking up an eighth consecutive loss in a little over two years. The Express won the last time on the road over the Alaska Aces on March 15, 2003 in Bago City.

The Kings actually started out flat but picked up their game in the second quarter then sustained their romp through the final half.

Eric Menk, off to a strugggling start in the season-ending tourney, poured in 33 points in what’s easily his best game since the Philippine Cup finals.

And Mark Caguioa, Edner Elisma and Rodney Santos provided the needed support as the Kings notched their third win in five starts.

Caguioa, Elisma and Santos combined for 43 points as the Kings dealt the Express their third defeat against two wins.

Meanwhile, action shifts back to the Araneta Coliseum today with US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone as special guest, doing the ceremonial toss in the main game between Purefoods and Alaska Milk. Talk n Text and Coca-Cola clash in the first game.