Express, Kings go strong early

Games today (Mall of Asia Arena)

3 p.m. – Globalport vs Rain or Shine

5:15 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs San Mig Coffee

There’s still no stopping Air21’s breakthrough run.

MANILA, Philippines - From a first-ever semifinal finish, the Express zoomed to a first-ever 2-0 conference start as they ran to the ground the Barako Bull Energy Cola, 101-86, in the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

Dominique Sutton, Asi Taulava, Joseph Yeo and Macmac Cardona all came through with big numbers as the Express made it two in a row in the season-ending tourney after a winning debut over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – another franchise first.

In the other game in this Petron Blaze Saturday Special, Zaccheus Mason sparkled with 32 points and 19 rebounds as Barangay Ginebra shrugged off a poor opening quarter and ripped Meralco, 95-82, also for a 2-0 start in the season-ending tourney.

Mason stepped up in the final half and, together with Greg Slaughter, made the biggest damage sending Meralco to a third straight loss.

Mason attacked from inside and out while Slaughter imposed his huge frame at the paint, chipping in 22 points.

“We are playing within the system. We are using our advantage and strength. And everybody’s stepping up,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

And as insinuated by the Air21 coach, the Express have a lot more to give.

“Sutton is still feeling his way in. He’s still trying to get his timing,” said Pumaren, also mentioning the forthcoming return of Sean Anthony.

Anthony was in great form, churning out MVP numbers before going down with an ankle injury during their semifinal showdown with eventual champion San Mig Coffee in the last Commissioner’s Cup.

Sutton, Taulava, Yeo and Cardona joined forces, each one making at least 16 points as they fashioned out an authoritative victory over the Energy Cola, handing them a second loss in three starts.

Trailing by a big margin, Barako coach Siot Tangquincen opted to sit out Eric Wise the rest of the game after sustaining a cut just below his left eye in a collision with Sutton midway through the fourth.

From an 80-72 count, the Express pulled away at 92-74 with 8:74 left on a 12-2 tear capped by a Cardona triple.

Wise piled up 18 points in the first half but was held down to four in the second half.