The Barangay Ginebra Kings finally found a way to win after five straight losses, beating the Coca-Cola Tigers, 81-77, Saturday night in an out-of-town game of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup in Lucena City, Quezon province. In the first game of the rare Saturday doubleheader, the Air21 Express came back strong after two straight heart-breaking losses, tripping the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 106-103, for their fourth win in nine games. After a luckluster performance in Ginebras last game against Rain or Shine last Sunday, Jayjay Helterbrand exploded for 28 points Saturday against Coca-Cola to put a stop to Ginebras freefall. The win enabled Ginebra to catch up with Coca-Cola and Talk N Text, with all three teams tied from eighth to 10th position with 3-5 win-loss slate. The Tigers suffered their second loss in four outings under interim coach Kenneth Duremdes. Although Helterbrand was the only King in double-figures, Eric Menk and Paul Artadi made crucial plays down the stretch to ward off a furious Tiger onslaught. Artadi helped seal the win for Ginebra as he stole off Asi Taulava, paving the way for a Helterbrand basket that made it 81-77 with time down to 34 seconds. Ginebra led by as many as 19 points twice in the second quarter before settling for a 46-29 halftime score. Coca-Cola roared back into life in the third quarter with a 3-4 run. But that was as far as the Tigers could go as the Kings protected their lead until the very end. Jayjay came through with a huge game and gave us a big lift. Credit also goes to the other guys who worked hard to make up for the continued absence of Mark (Caguioa), Junthy (Valenzuela) and Rafi (Reavis), said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. Finally, we found a way to win again. It's really hard competing with a short-handed lineup, Uichico added. In the preceding game, perfect 6-of-6 free-throw shooting in the final minute enabled the Air21 Express to snatch the win, somehow easing the pain of their back-to-back overtime losses against Purefoods and San Miguel. Air21 106 - David 27, De Ocampo 19, Kramer 13, Arboleda 10, Billones 8, Canaleta 8, Santos 6, Quinahan 6, Se 6, Intal 3, Cruz 0, Sta. Maria 0. Rain or Shine 103 - Reyes 22, Mercado 15, Norwood 12, Salangsang 11, Tang 11, Arana 10, Wainwright 9, Isip 6, Ibanes 4, Laure 3. Quarters: 24-30; 48-48; 75-78; 106-103. Barangay Ginebra 81 - Helterbrand 28, Tubid 8, Salvacion 8, Artadi 8, Pacana 8, Menk 6, Mamaril 4, Crisano 4, Escalona 4, Wilson 2, Cabatu 1, Holper 0. Coca-Cola 77 - Belasco 22, Taulava 19, Cabagnot 13, Catli 9, Macapagal 6, Telan 4, Calimag 2, Arigo 0, Baguion 0, Dimaunahan 0. Quarters: 21-18, 46-29, 61-56, 81-77. __
