Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Barangay Ginebra, Air21 Express to Break 1-1 Deadlock

After a devastating loss, Barangay Ginebra will try to bounce back against the Air21 Express to break their deadlock at 1 game a piece. The Air21 Express, on the other hand, will try to ride the momentum as they shoot for a 2-1 lead.

Best Player of the Conference Jayjay Helterbrand will be a doubtful starter after suffering a pulled hamstring injury. With his loss, other Kings players should step up including Mark Caguioa and import Chris Alexander. Surely, Ginebra's running offense will be greatly hampered with this development but coach Jong Uichico can easily adopt with the situation.

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Air21, Ginebra break deadlock

Source: Manila Bulletin | August 10, 2008
by Waylon Galvez

Emboldened by its blowout win in Gamme 2, Airr21 goes for a second straight win over Barangay Ginebra in Gamme 3 of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup Finals today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Exprress and Kings clash at 7 p.m. with the former still on a Cloud 9 after scoring a breezy 124-90 win over the Gin Kings, a victory that evened their best-of-seven basketball title series at 1-1.

Showing none of the brilliance that won them the opening gamme of the basketball series, 105-96, the Kings were reduced to slaves by the mighty Exprress, who dominated the every facet of the gamme to the consternation of Ginebra supporters.

For most Ginebra fans, the defeat two nights ago was embarrassing.

After winning their previous 13 gammes and then losing by 34 points in the next, was to them unacceptable since the Kings are known for their never-say-die attitude.

"We really got outplayed," lamented Ginebra basketball mentor Jong Uichico, who appeared dazed after the gamme.

Uichico's action was understandable since it was his worst beating since starting coaching in the PBA (with San Miguel) a decade ago.

"It seemed that we can't do anything right. On the other hand, they (Exprress) did all the right things that won them the gamme. The bottom line is that we were really outplayed," he added.

Exprress coach Bo Perasol said that if they continue to display the same kind of intensity and cohesion, then they have pretty good chances of winning today's basketball gamme, and perhaps the basketball series.

In Gamme 2, the Exprress did an excellent job on the 7-foot Chris Alexander, winner of the Best Import plum.

After tallying 18 points and 25 rebounds in Gamme 1, Alexander had to work extra hard to score and grab a rebound -- no thanks to the pesky defense of Steven Thomas.

With Thomas all over him, Alexander was held to just 10 points and 10 boards.

Thomas, on the other hand, finished with better numbers of 10 points and 18 rebounds.

His all-around performance also helped the Exprress win the battle off the boards, 55-41. In Gamme 1, it's Ginebra which dominated the boards, 63-51.

"It's all about sustaining the same intensity and fire, from rebounding to playing tough basketball defense and executing our plays," Perasol, who hopes to lead the Bert Lina-owned basketball team to its first title since joining the PBA in 2002.

"These are the crucial factors for us to win Gamme 3. Of course, we expect them to make adjustment and come out strong," he said.

From a 13-point halftime lead (58-45), the Exprress used a murderous 21-4 salvo capped by a jumper by Arwind Santos to take a commanding 79-49 advantage with 5:13 left in the third frame.

The Kings, however, failed to recover their bearing after that jolt.

Still, Uichico remains upbeat about their chances, saying there's no need to push the panic button just yet.

"If we just play a little bit better than we did (in Gamme 2), we'll be all right. It's just 1-1 (series)," Uichico said. "We'll make an adjustment, but nothing drastic. We just have to do the things that we failed to execute, like play basketball defense."

Jayjay Helterbrand, winner of the Best Player of the Conference award, suffered a pulled hamstring midway of the third quarter and his status is day-to-day. He finished with a horrible 2-of-10 shooting from the field with five turnovers.

We'll know today if he's good to play," Uichico said.

If Helterbrand is not available, the Kings, playing in their 17th Finals and aiming for title No. 8, hope to find ways to keep up with the backcourt men of the Exprress.

Paul Artadi, who had a minor pulled hamstring in Gamme 1, Chris Pacana and possibly Macky Escalona have to step up in the event the basketball coaching staff decides to keep Helterbrand on the bench.

The youthful Ginebra guards will face the veteran playmakers of Airr21 like Wynne Arboleda and Egay Billones, as well as rookie Marvin Cruz.

Another exciting battle to watch is the wingmen of both basketball squads, with the Exprress relying on MVP contender Arwind Santos and Gary David, who combined for 40 points the previous gamme. They also have a pair of high-leaping forwards in Niño Canaleta and rookie JC Intal.

Leading the Kings is Mark Caguioa, who leads the basketball series in scoring with 25.5 points average, with Junthy Valenzuela and Sunday Salvacion backing him up.

Also expected to provide help for the Kings are 2005 MVP Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril and Alex Crisano of the Kings while Ranidel de Ocampo, Homer Se, Earvin Sotto and Gabby Espinas will give Santos and David the extra firepower.