INQUIRER Global Nation

Game tomorrow:

@Cuneta Astrodome

Game 6

7 p.m.- Air21 vs. Magnolia

THE AIR21 Express need just one more win to earn their first-ever trip to the finals. The Express moved to the threshold of the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals after nailing a, 92-82 win over the Magnolia Beverage Masters last night in Game Five of their best-of-seven semifinal series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Since joining the league in 2002, the Express have yet to the reach the Finals, but with a 3-2 series lead, they could finally achieve that with another win tomorrow in Game Six.

A win by Air21 will pit them against early finalist Barangay Ginebra in a best-of-seven finals.

The Kings swept the Red Bull Barakos in their own semis battle, 4-0.

The Express’ best finish in franchise history was third place.

Gary David had another stellar game for the Express after scoring 21 points while Ranidel de Ocampo went 5-for-9 from the three-point field to finish with 18 points and also added eight rebounds.

Homer Se was the surprise package for the Express after he scattered 15 crucial points.

Magnolia import Amal McCaskill tallied 23 points but failed to get enough support from his teammates.

After a tight first half, the Express took control of the game with a superb performance in the third quarter where they led, 74-61.

The Beverage Masters, who escaped with a narrow 104-102 win in Game Three, opened the fourth with a 9-4 blast and threatened at, 70-78 with 7:15 left.

That, however, proved to be the closest the Beverage Masters could get as David scored six points in a 6-2 run that saw the Express zoom to an, 84-72 lead with 5:16 left. Air21 posted an 88-76 lead with exactly a minute left.