Posts tagged basketball

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings became the first PBA team to win more than one Fiesta conference crown as they defeated Air21, 97-84 at Game Seven of their championship showdown Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Pesky guard Ronald Tubid and bull strong Eric Menk led the charge for Ginebra as they scored 22 and 21 points respectively and hand coach Jong Uichico his eight PBA coaching crown. Tubid and Menk were both adjudged Finals Most Valuable Player by the PBA Press Corps.

Ginebra last won the Fiesta crown in 2004 when they were led by import Torraye Braggs.

Air 21 was topscored by import Steven Thomas with a game high 24 points with Season MVP runner-up Arwind Santos adding 19. Guard Gary David was the only other Express who scored in double digits with 18 markers.

The Gin Kings missed the services of top point guard Jayjay Helterbrand who suffered a hamstring injury during Game two. Other players who played hurt for Ginebra were Paul Artadi and superstar Mark Caguioa.

This was Air21’s first ever finals appearance since entering the league six years ago.
The Bert Lina franchise had two opportunities to bag their first PBA jewel as they took a 3-2 lead in the series.

The Scores:
Ginebra 97 – Tubid 22, Menk 21, Alexander 16, Caguioa 13, Valenzuela 10, Artadi 8, Crisano 4, Pacana 3, Mamaril 0, Salvacion 0, Reavis 0.

Air 21 84 – Thomas 24, Santos 19, David 18, Canaleta 8, Billones 6, De Ocampo 5, Cruz 3, Arboleda 1, Kramer 0, Intal 0, Espinas 0, Sotto 0, Se 0.

Quarterscores: 26-21, 49-46, 72-63, 97-84.