Air21 downs Magnolia, faces Ginebra in finals

MANILA, Philippines – Air21 leaned on a big fourth quarter surge to turn back Magnolia, 99-91, and arranged a title showdown with Barangay Ginebra for the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup championship. Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo and back-up guard Egay Billones sparked the Express’ explosive scoring binge in the final period, outscoring the Beverage Masters, 33-17, to clinch the come-from-behind win in Game 6 of their semifinals series at the Astrodome last night. The Lina franchise won the best-of-seven affair, 4-2, to advance in the finals for the first time since entering the league in 2002. Bo Perasol, the baritoned-voice coach of the Express, was full of emotions shortly after his young team finally got the job done. “Napakasarap ng feeling na makapasok sa finals," said the teary-eyed former University of the Philippines stalwart. “Expect the same intensity, the same focus and the same desire we showed in the semis come the finals." Game 1 of the best-of-seven showdown between the well-rested Kings and Express will be on Wednesday. Santos paced the Express with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while going 4-of-8 from downtown when he single-handedly carried the fort for Air21 at a time Magnolia was controlling the tightly-fought contest. The Express trailed by as many as 18-31 early in the second period and were staring at an eight-point deficit entering the final quarter. But Air21 capitalized on a series of Magnolia turnovers to turn the tide in its favor. A de Ocampo jumper tied the game at 81 before a completed three-pointer by the lanky 6-foot-7 center put the Express in front to stay, 84-81, with 5:15 remaining. The Beverage Masters kept the game close behind the outside snipings of Lordy Tugade, until back-to-back three-pointers by Billones doomed Magnolia for good, 92-83, in the final two minutes of play. Gary David finished with 20 points while de Ocampo added 17 for the Express, who exploited the Beverage Masters’ costly errors by scoring 36 turnover points. Olsen Racela topscored for Magnolia with 14 markers. – GMANews.TV