Air 21 Express vs Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra gained a playoff shot at an outright semifinal entry and gave Barako Bull a free ride into the quarterfinals as the Kings ripped the Air21 Express, 103-87, in their closing game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Kings, losing finalists in this mid-season tourney last year, seized momentum in the second quarter on the way to closing out their elims stint with six wins against three losses.

Winning their last three games, the Kings forced a double-playoff to decide the final seedings.

Ginebra plays either Talk n Text or B-Meg for the second outright semis berth while Powerade and Meralco slug it out for the sixth and last quarters slot in the double-playoff tomorrow at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Barako Bull, Powerade and Meralco actually finished tied for fifth with identical 4-5 slates. The Energy gained fifth seeding on a superior quotient, leaving the Tigers and the Bolts to dispute the sixth slot in a knockout setto.

Ginebra unleashed a 10-to-nothing run to open a double-digit spread, 46-34, in the second quarter, and the Kings refused to slow down, foiling the Express’ bid for a triumphant exit in the tourney.

As in the Philippine Cup, Air21 finished dead last in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Jackson Vroman played just enough minutes, tallying 19 points and 13 rebounds in the game marred by a commotion involving Ginebra assistant coach Allan Caidic and Air21 enforcer Ogie Menor at the end of the first half.

Both were called a technical foul. Having incurred an earlier infraction, Menor was barred from returning to court for the second half.

Earlier, Menor bumped Jackson Vroman in a rebound play, an incident leading to a confrontation between the Ginebra import and Air21 counterpart Marcus Douthit.

Curiously, the former San Beda stalwart played only four minutes in two games in the tourney, getting four points, one rebound and one steal against four turnovers and three technical fouls.

He also incurred couples of Ts in the first conference, earning a reputation as a pesky player.

Marcus Douthit collected 19 points and 23 rebounds which were not enough to save Air21 from a last-place finish.

Air21 guard RJ Jazul also piled up 19 points on a remarkable 6-of-12 three-point shooting.

Mike Cortez and Mark Caguioa were two other Ginebra players who finished in double figures with 18 and 13, respectively.