Scorching Ginebra dismantles hapless Air21

Jayjay Helterbrand vs Nino Canaleta. PBA/Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Ginebra continues to sizzle as it dismantles hapless Air21, 99-76, Friday for its fifth straight win in the 2012 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings never relented on the attack — posting a whopping 33-point lead in the first half before holding on to their biggest, 81-47, at the end of the third period.

Suddenly, all of Ginebra’s woes at the start of the conference has melted away as it is only a game behind (7-5) third-running Rain or Shine (8-4) in the standings.

“It’s a good win for us, the guys are playing more to their roles,” said head coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Chris Ellis, the showman that he is, put provided countless highlight reels all game and finished with 18 points, on 7-of-9 shooting, along with four rebounds.

LA Tenorio added 15 points, two rebounds and seven assists, Rudy Hatfield had 11 while the duo of Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Heltebrand combined for 17 points.

The Gin Kings actually didn’t lead all throughout because the Express beat them to the first point — that hardly mattered, though.

Air21, which skid to 4-9, never posed a threat, or even managed to bring down the deficit lower than 24 points.

Winnier Arboleda led the Express with 17 points, but mostly from attempts to bring the lead down to a respectable level.

The scores:

GINEBRA 99 – Ellis 18, Tenorio 15, Hatfield 11, Helterbrand 9, Mamaril 8, Caguioa 8, Raymundo 8, Wilson 7, Maierhofer 4, Espiritu 3, Taha 2, Jensen 2, Maliksi 2, Labagala 2.

AIR 21 76 – Arboleda 17, Omolon 12, Canaleta 11, Ritualo 8, Wilson 7, Cortez 7, Isip 4, Sena 3, Baclao 3, Reyes 2, Andaya 2, Atkins 0, Custodio 0.

Quarters: 28-9, 55-29, 81-47, 99-76

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