Alpha Bangura recorded his highest output with Air21, and the Express were rock-hard in terms of composure this time in beating Alaska Sunday night, 94-84, to forge a deciding Game 3 in their quarterfinals series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Bangura, a replacement for Jeremy Robinson, scored 40 points in 47 minutes, highlighting his game-long brilliance by pouring in six of Air21’s last eight markers in the final 43 seconds as the Express bounced back big time after a painful 91-89 defeat to the Aces Friday night.

“We were desperate,” said Bangura. “We just wanted it (win) a little bit more than they did. It’s a team game, but if I’m needed to take over the game, I would.” And there was nothing really the Aces could do when Bangura took charge down the stretch.

After the Aces cut down what looked like an insurmountable 62-42 lead to within 86-84 on a triple by LA Tenorio with 1:48 left to play, Bangura tipped in a missed free-throw by Danny Seigle than turned out to be a three-point play in reverse to make it a five-point ball game.

Bangura was there again for the hustle play and the offensive rebound when Dorian Pena also bungled his second free throw. Bangura got fouled and made both free throws for a 92-84 lead, before capping his game-long brilliance with a windmill throw-down in the final 10 seconds.

Rain or Shine also sent its own series against Barangay Ginebra into a knockout game after shooting well from three-point area for a 113-97 Game Two victory over the Gin Kings later in the night.

The Elasto Painters, beaten in the series opener, 100-91, bounced back with 15 triples, 10 coming in the first half, to take the fight out from the Kings early before withstanding Ginebra’s spirited charge in the third quarter to stay alive in the affair that will determined Smart-Gilas’ foe in the semifinals.

Rain or Shine shot 15-of-33 from rainbow territory overall.

“I think what was crucial was that we were able to start really well, offensively and defensively,” said Painters’ coach Yeng Guiao. “I know we shot a lot of threes, and I don’t know if it’s asking too much, but I hope we can do that again.

“Also, we were able to contain their guards and crowded the middle every time Ginebra’s import touches the ball.” Rain or Shine led by as large as 30 points, 62-32 late in the second quarter, but Ginebra came back from the halftime break a different ball club and slashed that imposing deficit to within 85-78 at the end of the third.

The Painters, though, rose to the challenge of holding back the Kings, getting nine points from Doug Kramer a combined 10 from Larry Rodriguez and Josh Vanlandingham in the fourth quarter to win pulling away.

The win was the first time Rain or Shine beat Ginebra for the 2010-11 Season and only their second in their last 10 matches for the past two years.

“I’m always worried that this young team will not be able to withstand the pressure,” Guiao said. “But in this game, they showed they can.” Ronjay Buenade topscored for the Painters with 20 points, and Kramer had 13 rebounds and 11 points. Gabe Norwood added 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Nate Brumfield scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Kings, who could only draw five points from Mark Caguioa and six from Ronald Tubid. Caguioa and Tubid combined for 38 points in Game One the Kings won 100-91.

The Express, meantime, have now survived three knockout games dating back to the eliminations. Air21 defeated Powerade (108-98) and then Alaska (92-83) to seal the final playoff slot.

“Who knows baka magaling kami sa do-or-die,” said Express coach Bong Ramos. “Hopefully we can get another upset.” Dorian Pena contributed 14 rebounds for Air21, which lost Game One after Tenorio hit three straight three-point shots in the final three minutes before Sonny Thoss converted on a follow-up up with 0.4 seconds left to play.

Yet it appeared Alaska was headed for another spectacular comeback win. It once led 19-8 in the first quarter, but allowed the Express to seize control when Air21 unloaded a rare 28-2 blast to claim a 36-21 lead. The Express took leads of as large as 20 points thrice.

“The last game we had lapses on defense,” said Ramos. “But we accepted our mistakes. I appreciate the defense we had tonight. We were more religious in our execution sa depensa.” Joe Devance led the Aces with 24 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and collected six assists while Tenorio contributed 18 points. Import LD Williams was the only player who recorded a double-double with 17 points