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Source: ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – The Air21 Express made it into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals by beating the Alaska Aces, 92-83, at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

According to PBA.ph, the Express finished the single-round-robin elimination phase with a 5-4 win-loss slate.

Air21 has an identical win-loss record with Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk but the Gin Kings and the Aces ended up 3rd and 4th, respectively, due to superior quotients.

“We’re just in the right place at the right time, and we’re so glad to make the playoffs,” Air21 coach Bong Ramos said in the report.

Alpha Bangura top-scored for the Express with 25 points. Dondon Hontiveros and Wynne Arboleda added 18 and 17, respectively.

The win gave the Express a chance to advance into the semifinal round if they beat Alaska in a best-of-3 quarterfinals match-up.

The 3-game showdown between Air21 and Alaska will start on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Air21’s win also sent B-MEG Derby Ace (4-5) out of the Commissioner’s Cup race together with Meralco (3-6), Powerade (2-7) and San Miguel Beer (2-7).

B-Meg and Rain or Shine actually finished with identical 4-5 win-loss records.

But the Elasto Painters won the right to play against Ginebra in the quarterfinals when they beat the Llamados, 95-94, last February 23.