Magnolia Beverage Masters Basketball Games Updates

Ranidel De Ocampo, Gary David Wax Hot as Air21 Express Grabs 3-2 Lead

The Air21 Express made a show of what their offensive jauggernaut looks like when well-oiled and their willingness to win Game 5 as they inch a game closer to the coveted franchise first-ever finals appearance.

The Magnolia Beverage Masters, on the other hand, were clueless as to what hit them when the Express continuesly scores on all fronts leaving their defense clueless. Add to the injury is the fact that Mike Cortez was not able to orchestrate the team's play very well. They also logged numerous turnovers, which the Air21 Express willingly converts to turnover points.

Another big factor is the continuing emergence of Mr. Pure Energy Gary David, who seems to play a higher level of basketball game. He moved a lot and his defenders just cannot cope up with him. Yes, even known guard defender Dondon Hontiveros was not quick enough to react to his moves.

Another blow is that Dondon Hontiveros injured his ankle and may not be able to play on the succeeding battles. Let's just hope he recovers in time to help the team.

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JUST ONE MORE TO GO FOR AIR21 Express on verge of first-ever PBA Finals stint

Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Just one more push, and Air21 could finally achieve a first-ever basketball Finals appearance in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The Express rebounded strong from a heartbreaker of a loss Sunday, outworking and outmaneuvering the Magnolia

Beverage Masters for a 92-82 victory and the pivotal 3-2 lead in their 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-

seven semifinal basketball showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.

Stalled the last time by a clutch shot from Amal McCaskill, the Express got back on track by putting up their most

aggressive basketball performance in the basketball series thus far, catching up the Magnolia Beverage Masters by surprise.

Taking the lead in the basketball series after five basketball gammes, the Express can close it out in Game 6 at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday or in a deciding Game 7 in the same venue Sunday.

"We really worked hard to build a big lead early. We can't win every time on a last-second basketball shot by Steven (Thomas) or in a last-second basketball defensive gem by Arwind (Santos)," said Air21 basketball coach Bo Perasol.

"But the basketball series is not yet over. We can't afford to relax if we're to finish the job and give the basketball franchise its first ever PBA Finals basketball stint," Perasol added.

"We need to continue playing Air21 basketball if we're to finish them off Friday. Magnolia Beverage Masters is a very good basketball team. It has talented basketball players," said Air21 import Steven Thomas.

Looking to arrange a fourth basketball title showdown with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, the Magnolia Beverage Masters can only salvage their bid with two straight wins against the Express who have gone 5-2 in their duels the entire basketball tourney.

"We can't count them out just yet. We have to take it one basketball gamme at a time," said Thomas, himself on the verge of a first basketball championship series in his basketball career. He's never experienced playing in the Finals back in the US.

Thomas logged minimal numbers compared to those churned out by McCaskill but the entire Air21 team put better

efforts than Magnolia Beverage Masters.

Too bad for the Magnolia Beverage Masters, they lost Dondon Hontiveros early in the gamme on a sprained ankle.

"Personally, I wish Dondon well. If ever we complete a win, I don't want our achievement tainted by the absence of a

key Magnolia Beverage Masters basketball player," said Perasol.

Gary David scored 20 points to pace the Express, who also drew double-digit basketball outputs from Ranidel de Ocampo, Homer Se, Arwind Santos and Thomas.

"If you notice, our local basketball players have been doing the job. They're winning without me. I'm just there communicating," said Thomas.

Perasol, however, stressed Thomas' mere presence makes his basketball teammates better.

"He's not scoring much but his presence makes his basketball teammates confident," said the soft-spoken Air21 mentor of his hardworking basketball import.

The Express seized the early initiative and took the half at 49-40, using aggressiveness to make up for a mediocre

basketball shooting.

Santos and De Ocampo fired 10 points apiece in the first half, pacing the Express who led by as many as 14 points at

36-22 despite a mere 38.8 percent shooting against the Magnolia Beverage Masters' 50 percent clip.

The Express cashed in on hustle basketball plays, outscoring the Magnolia Beverage Masters by 17, 26-9, on points off turnovers. (NC)

The scores:

Air21 92 -- David 20, De Ocampo 18, Se 15, Thomas 12, Santos 12, Arboleda 6, Cruz 5, Espinas 2, Sotto 2, Kramer 0, Canaleta 0, Billones 0.

Magnolia 82 -- McCaskill 23, Tugade 15, Pena 13, Hontiveros 7, Gonzales 6, Cortez 6, Racela 6, Ildefonso 3, Calaguio 2, Pingris 1, Seigle 0.

Quarterscores: 31-20, 49-40, 74-61, 92-82.