PBA: First finals stint within Air21's reach

MANILA, Philippines – The Air21 Express moved one win away of claiming its first finals stint scoring a 92-82 win over the Magnolia Beverage Masters in Game 5 of their Smart-Philippine Basketball Association best-of-seven series Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Express used a third-quarter breakaway for a 3-2 series lead and inch closer of facing Ginebra in the best-of-seven championship. The Gin Kings earned the first finals berth after a 4-0 sweep of the Red Bull Barakos in their own semis encounter. Ranidel De Ocampo paced the Express ending up with 18 points on a five-for-nine shooting beyond the arc. He also had eight rebounds. Import Steven Thomas, who was held to single digits in the first half, finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and five steals. – GMANews.TV