The Barangay Ginebra Kings kept their outright semifinal bid alive after trashing the Air21 Express, 103-87, last night in the final playdate of the elimination round of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings finished their elimination round campaign with six wins and three losses to tie the B-Meg Llamados at second place. B-Meg also finished the elimination round with a 6-3 (win-loss) record.
The Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters were still playing the Petron Blaze Boosters as of presstime last night. The Texters went into the match with a 6-2 slate looking for a win that will automatically bring them to the semis.
A win by Talk N’ Text will result into a playoff game between Ginebra and B-Meg for the last outright semis slot.
Jackson Vroman scored 19 points for the Kings, who posted a, 53-42 lead at the half after settling for a slim, 26-25 advantage after the first period.
Ginebra led by the double digits the rest of the way, sending Air21 to a costly loss.
Mike Cortes backed Vroman with 18 points while Mark Caguioa chipped in 13.
The Express bowed out from the tournament after absorbing their sixth loss against three wins.
First to be eliminated was the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who ended the eliminations with a 3-6 slate.
A loss by Petron against Talk ‘N Text will also mean elimination for them while playoff games will be played for the Meralco Bolts, Powerade Tigers and the Barako Bull Energy for the last quarterfinal slot.
The three teams all finished the eliminations with 4-5 cards.
Alaska is already assured of a quarterfinal spot by tallying five wins and four losses in the eliminations.
BOX SCORES
GINEBRA (103)- Vroman 19, Cortez 18, Caguioa 13, Ababou 9, Raymundo 9, W. Wilson 8, Villanueva 8, Hatfield 8, Labagala 6, J. Wilson 3, Canaleta 2, Mamaril 0.
AIR 21 (87)- Douthit 19, Jazul 19, Omolon 15, Sena 11, Ritualo 10, Hubalde 7, Isip 4, Escobal 2, Sison 0, Espiritu 0, Menor 0, Duncil 0. QUARTERSCORES: 26-25, 53-42, 78-67, 103-87.