The next conference – Fiesta Cup – unveils on February 28, 2009.

“I’m confident everything would end up as plan,” Alvarez told air21express.com.ph after he represented all the important documents attesting that Burger King is one of the major own companies of business mogul Bert Lina.

“I’m 100 percent sure we will get the board approval,” he said.

PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios, in fact, told reporters recently that Lina should prove first that he has 33.3 percent control of the Burger King company before allowing them the transfer without paying the corresponding P75 worth million transfer fee.

“Bert Lina’s control to Burger King company is more than 50 percent, so that’s why I’m very confident that in the next conference we will be known as Burger King,” said Alvarez. “This is part of our plan since we joined the PBA in 2002.”

The Lina Group of companies joined the PBA family by buying the defunct Tanduay Rhum before the 2002 season opens. They used the franchise FedEx Express, then changed the name in 2005 as Air21 Express.

Lina has 60 percent share on Burger King and PLDT owner Manny V. Pangilinan has 13 percent, while Talk ‘N Text team governor Ricky Vargas, Alvarez himself and Wilson Young has five percent each.

Alvarez, also the league’s vice-chairman, submitted letter of intent and all important documents last Monday morning at the PBA offices in Libis, Quezon City during the special meeting called Board chairman Joaqui Trillo of Alaska.

But the PBA and the board instructed Barrios and legal counsel Melvin Mendoza to examine the documents and make a report and recommendation on Air21’s request.

“It will just have to go through the process. The PBA legal department will look into it and maybe in a week’s time, there’s already a recommendation,” Alvarez added.

Lina used Air2100 Inc., in the absence of a holding company when it entered the league in 2002.

In a letter dated January 2002 signed by the late commissioner Jun Bernardino, he wrote that if there’s already a holding company, a minimum prerequisite of 33 1/3 percent controlling interest in a company is needed to be accepted.
“They will avail of that avenue (Jan. 2002 letter of Bernardino),” Barrios said.

“The ball is now on our court. Atty. Melvin Mendoza will study the documents. We’ll communicate with Burger King if there are some explanations to do before we come up with a report to the Board,” he said.

Also, based on the letter of Bernardino, Alvarez mentioned that there’s no need for Board approval because it’s a simple automatic transfer of name because Lina is the majority owner of the holding company.

“But of course, the commissioner’s report needs affirmation by the Board,” said Barrios.

“Personally tingin ko hindi magtatagal ang isyu, documentation lang naman ‘yan. It’s either they complied or they did not comply. We just have to do our homework so the Board will be properly informed,” he added.

Trillo supported Barrios’ statements, saying: “There might not be a need to vote if the papers are in order.”

Thomas averaged 24 points and 19 rebounds per game in the elimination round.

Arwind Santos earned a citations from the PBA Press Corps when he won the defensive player of the year after tallying in a total of 34.2 Sps this season.

His Fiesta Conference average was 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, while he finished with an average of 20.0 points per game, 11.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in the Philippine Cup.

Wynne Arboleda, his teammate, was the runner-up in the defensive player of the year battle, while Homer Se and Nino KG Canaleta also shared their own improvement in defense.

In fact, the Magnolia Beverage Masters (now San Miguel Beermen) took a one-game advantage against the Express in the series because of the absence of Thomas in Game 1 due to his commitment in a Korean League.

But the Express still prevailed in the series, where they massacred the Beverage Masters in Game six, 99-91, to advance in the best-of-seven finals and meet the Ginebra Gin Kings.

This was also Air21′s first ever franchise appearance in championship in the PBA since 2002.

“Yes that is something very memorable,” said one of the Express fans.

Although they lost the championship to the Gin Kings in pivotal Game 7, the thousand fans of the Express all over the country stay hopeful that one day a title would come in their backyard soon.

2007-2008 Philippine Cup

The Express, playing without Gary David in the early Philippine Cup due to ACL, turned out their hard days, but the determination of Arwind Santos, Ranidel De Ocampo, Homer Se and other teammates gave the team a brighter future.

The big game of David came back during the Fiesta Cup against the Magnolia Beverage Masters in Antipolo. He scored 24 points in that game to lead the Express to a 96-90 win.

Back in the 2007-2008 Philippine Cup, rookies JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Marvin Cruz were continuously developing their skills to help the squad while the Smart Philippine Cup was ongoing.

The Express closed out the 2007-2008 Smart Philippine Cup with  7-11 record.

After booting Ginebra out in the first stage of knock-out wildcard play, 119-100, the Air21 Express bowed out to the Coca-Cola Tigers, 109-102.

A new hope

Air21 surprised the fans (of course they were all mad about this) before the Chrsitmas by trading long-time big man Ranidel De Ocampo to Talk ‘N Text for the rights of Don Allado and 2012 first round pick.

Few days after that blockbuster trade, Air21 acquired Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz in exchange of 2011 and 2012 first round pick on Christmas eve.

Earlier, Air21 team governor Lito Alvarez created some moves to boost the team’s frontline when he sent sixth overall pick Mark Borboran to the Alaska Aces for JR Quiñahan before the Philippine Cup opens and later on signed up Adonis Sta. Maria to one-conference contract.

The team also signed rookie Cholo Villanueva, a second round draftee, and later on he was relegated to the reserve list.

Air21 started slow in the PBA-KFC Philippine Cup elimination round as it lost its first three games.

But coach Bo Perasol and his crew bounced back and almost made it to outright quarterfinals.

Their last game in the elimination round – a 109-108 lost to the Talk ‘N Text Texters (No thanks to former Express Ranidel De Ocampo’s buzzer-beater) – which resulted to an 8-10 record.

Air21 won its opening wildcard game against Purefoods, 94-82, but it lost to the San Miguel Beermen, 86-105.

The Air21 Express will be renamed to Burger King – the other company owns by Bert Lina – in the PBA in the next conference (Fiesta Conference).

“Yes we are working on that and finally he (Guiao) agreed in principle to coach the team,” said Alvarez, who also confirmed that Harbour Centre’s coaching staff, led by its coach Jorge Gallent, and crew would come in.

“We will formally announce this soon. We just need to settle some terms.”

The deal would be finalized by the end of the week, according also to Alvarez, the team governor and manager on Thursday.

Burger King, meanwhile, is the new brand that Air21 will carry in the Fiesta Cup conference.

But Alvarez said they are still waiting for the official approval of the board and commissioner Sonny Barrios for that matter.

“Yes we are all confident that the PBA will approve it without a transfer fee since Burger King is one of the companies own by Bert Lina,” he said.

Guiao revealed to various news reporters the other day that he’ll be heading to the Lina Group of companies next conference.

“I guess I have to cancel my application to a call center office,” Guiao told one of the newspapers the other day after a meeting with representatives from Air21.

“We talked everything including the team’s image, budget and the team’s winning tradition.”

Guiao said he loves to coach the likes of Arwind Santos, Gary David, Don Allado, Homer Se, Cyrus Baguio, Wynne Arboleda, Marvin Cruz and Nino KG Canaleta, among others.

“This team has the component to win championship,” said Guiao. “So accepting their offers are not hard.”

In his eight and-a-half seasons with Red Bull, the fiery mentor compiled a win-loss record of 245-201 (0.549 percent).

He also steered the team to three PBA titles, 2000 and 2001 Commissioner’s Cup, and the 2005-06 Fiesta Cup.

Guiao’s last season is though forgettable after finishing with 3-15 record last conference due to the lack of main players who were traded to other ball clubs.

Bo Perasol, on the other hand, had served as Air21 coach from 2005 to 2009.

He gave the Express a third place finish in the 2005 Fiesta Conference and first runner-up trophy in 2008 Fiesta Conference where they lost to Ginebra Kings in pivotal Game 7.

The Express, who failed to duplicate their masterful domination on Purefoods last December 28,, 94-82, in first stage of wildcard series, finished the conference with an 8-10 mark in the elimination round and 1-1 record at the wildcard.

David nailed 31 points on perfect 12-of-12 attempts in the foul line, while Arwind Santos scattered 20 points and 11 rebounds and Don Allado had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Express.

The practice session of the Express is set to resume on February 1, 2009.

After a 25-23 lead in first quarter, the San Miguel Beermen controlled the game the rest of the way by taking as many as 18 points in the second half which they did not relinquish.

Lordy Tugade and Dondon Hontiveros finished with 18 points each for San Miguel Beer, which will face sister team Ginebra San Miguel Beer in the best-of-three quarterfinals.

The other quarterfinal pair is between the reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realtors and Rain or Shine.

Cyrus Baguio scored five points with three rebounds and two blocks, while Celino Cruz had a bad debut as he came up scoreless in 14 minutes. Jay-R Quiñahan swatted six enemy attempts mostly on Danny Seigle, with four points and seven rebounds for the Express.

Individual Scores:

San Miguel 105 – Tugade 18, Hontiveros 18, Custodio 16, Seigle 16, Pena 12, Washington 9, Racela 5, Pingris 4, Pennisi 4, Calaguio 3, Baguion 0.

Air21 86 – David 31, Santos 20, Allado 12, Arboleda 7, Baguio 5, Quinahan 4, Cruz 3, Kramer 2, Billones 2, Intal 0, Canaleta 0, Cruz 0.

Quarter Scores: 25-23, 48-41, 75-64, 105-86.

They don’t want it to happen again whatever it takes.

So on Sunday (January 4, 2009), the Express are ready to unleash their massive firepower particularly on the wings against archrival San Miguel Beermen in the last day of wildcard round of PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Air21 bowed out last year to Coca-Cola, 109-102, after beating Ginebra in the first round of wildcard play last year, 119-110.

“We already experienced the feelings to be eliminated,” said Air21 mentor Bo Perasol. “And we don’t want it to happen again. We must do something against the San Miguel Beermen, but with tough defense I’m sure we can beat them.”

The Express suffered a tremendous losses in the elimination round against the Beermen (130-129 double overtime win and 98-78), but Perasol stays positive that his team could get back and beat them in this vert important game.

“I’m sure we learned something important from those two losses against SMB,” he said after Air21’s regular practice last Friday. “This is a very important game for us and I’m very confident my players will play well physically and mentally.”

The game starts at 6:00pm and the winner moves forward in the best-of-three quarterfinals series against the Ginebra Gin Kings.

“My players are always ready but the question is can we stand up in 48 minutes against them?,” asked by Perasol. “We reviewed our two losses against SMB and compared it how we won against Purefoods, knowing these two ball clubs are just the same.”

The newly organized Air21 Express eliminated the Purefoods Giants, San Miguel Beer’s other sister team, 94-82, while the San Miguel Beermen routed the Coca-Cola Tigers, 99-89, in the first wildcard round to dispute the last quarterfinals slot.

“Although it is very tough, I do believed the game will turn different if we play our A-game against SMB. Just what we did to Purefoods,” said Perasol, who will lean on new recruit Cyrus Baguio and Celino Cruz, both came in Red Bull in a recent trade.

Baguio debuted with only six points, while Cruz did not play as he attended the wake of his mother-in-law in Cebu City. Gary David led the Express with 20 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the field, while Wynne Arboleda had 17 points.

Arwind Santos, Nino KG Canaleta, Don Allado, Egay Billiones, Marvin Cruz, JR Quinahan, Doug Kramer, Adonis Sta. Maria and JC Intal are also there for the Express, who finished the elimination round at 8-10.

“San Miguel Beer is ahead against us in terms of height but our wingmen advantage will provide us the lift,” said Perasol, referring to Santos, Canaleta, David, Baguio and Intal.

David leads the Express in scoring at 18.5 points per game in the elimination, while Santos stays second with 15.3 points and 7.8 rebounds, Baguio at 13.6 points and Arboleda averaged 10.2 points, 4.3 assists per game.

The San Miguel Beermer dropped to wildcard round after losing their last three games for a 9-9 card.

They will bank on Anthony ‘Jay’ Washington (14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds average), Dondon Hontiveros (14 points), Lordy Tugade (13.5 points), Dorian Pena (11.3 points), rookie Bonbon Custodio and returning Danny Seigle.

They also got Mick Pennisi, Kenneth Bono, Jonas Villanueva and Jean Marc Pingris.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Paintmasters and the reigning champion Sta. Lucia Realtors meet in the other best-of-three quarterfinals, while the Alaska Aces and Talk ‘N Text Texters had both qualified in the semifinals outright.

The Air21 Express did something spectacular to eliminate the lethargic Purefoods TJ Giants, 94-82, in the first round of the wildcard stage of PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

People witnessed the debut of the high-flying Baguio, who chipped in six with two assists and a block in 20 minutes of play in his first game for the Express.

The Beermen defeated the Coca-Cola Tigers, 99-89, earlier in the other wildcard game to face the Express at the same venue on January 4, 2008 (Sunday).

“I’m just starting to adjust in the new system but now I can feel I’ll be more comfortable with it soon maybe in the next game,” said Baguio, who nailed his first two points from the foul line which gave the Express a 36-26 lead with 5:03 left before halftime.

“I really feel very excited with my new team. It looks like I’m a rookie again,” he said.

‘Taking it inside’

Gary David struggled beyond the arc and tried his game inside instead to hit 20 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the field and 10-of-11 in free throw area in addition to his three assists to lead the Express.

“I forced to take it (scoring) inside because I could not make a shot from beyond the three area,” said David, who placed fifth in scoring at the end of the elimination with 18.44 points per game in 18 games.

“It is also good that we have Cyrus around.”

Playmaking team captain Wynne Arboleda, who took the shooting guard position most of the time with Marvin Cruz tremendously playing the point, scattered 17 points and dished out six assists.

“Everybody played well tonight and we’re hoping we can sustain this great game against San Miguel Beer,” said Arboleda, who made three triples, three baskets and two free throws. “My teammates are great tonight especially the new one (Baguio).”

‘Early surge’

From a 19-14 advantage in the opening quarter, the Express refused to fold down to the Giants as David waxed hot firing away nine points in the second frame to post a 29-23 run for a 48-37 halftime spread.

JC Intal, who got five points, gave the Express their highest lead in first half, 48-36, with a few second left before the halftime break. 

Intal, David and JR Quiñahan delivered a basket each to extend the lead of the Express to 72-53 with 2:12 left in the third quarter.

An altercation between Purefoods’ main man James Yap and assistant coach Koy Banal occurred with seven minutes left in the fourth with Air21 up, 80-62, allegedly on defensive lapses by the Giants.

The Express led by as many as 24 points, 94-70, on a lay-up by Baguio late in the fourth period. They did not relinquish their advantage from there.

Yap led Purefoods with 26 points, but was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

‘Mismatch’

“When I was watching the two contenders, I saw the firepower of San Miguel Beer,” Air21 mentor Bo Perasol said. “We will have a mismatch with their big guys, but our wingmen will might spell the difference very well.”

“But it’s the same, if we can have the same intensity on defense, we’ll have confidence on our offense.”

Arwind Santos, who delivered 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting in the field and collected 11 rebounds with two blocks, successfully limited Kerby Raymundo to just 14 points – all second half only.

Doug Kramer also did his share on stopping Raymundo, who was morally distracted in the game because of stifling defense thrown at him. He even attempted to attack a fan during the fourth period.

Point guard Marvin Cruz also had a great game, finishing with 11 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists, while early acquisition Don Carlos Allado kept his presence felt inside by hauling 10 rebounds and scoring eight points.

‘Advance’

Veteran Celino Cruz, who was obtained by Air21 together with Baguio in exchange for two first round picks in the PBA Rookie Draft– one in 2011 and the other in 2011 – is expected to suit up on Air21-SMB face-off on Sunday (Jan. 4, 2009).

The winner will advance to the best-of-three quarterfinals against Fiesta Cup champion Barangay Ginebra.

Clashing in the other quarterfinals pairing are defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty and Rain or Shine.

Alaska and Talk ’N Text are already in the semifinals earning outright berths for finishing with the best two records at the end f the elimination phase.

Air21’s Blog Notes:

…Every time Cyrus Baguio held the ball, fans were screaming loud especially when he made two driving lay-ups in the fourth quarter…

…It looked like Purefoods was surprise in the game…The Giants could not find the right antidote to the Express wingmen advantage…
…The Giants totally lost controlled when James Yap and assistant coach Koy Banal had a disagreement in the bench….Kerby Raymundo wa s also assessed with a second motion, when he pushed Kramer…

….The Express were 0-2 in the elimination round against the Giants, but they did a wonderful job in the knockout wildcard phase…

…How about against San Miguel Beer? They are also 0-2 in the elimination…?

…Lito Alvarez, the team governor and manager, admitted San Miguel Beer is really a tough assignment but who knows?…

Individual Scores:

Air21 94 – David 20, Arboleda 17, Santos 13, Cruz 11, Allado 8, Baguio 6, Intal 5, Quinahan 4, Kramer 4, Canaleta 4, Billones 2, Sta. Maria 0.

Purefoods 82 – J. Yap 26, Villanueva 17, Raymundo 14, Lanete 9, Alvarez 6, Simon 5, Aban 3, Belga 2, Robinson 0, R. Yap 0.

Quarter Scores: 19-14, 48-37, 72-58, 94-82.

Barrios said through statement earlier: “Commissioner Sonny Barrios met with PBA Vice-Chairman Angelito Alvarez and Red Bull Governor Tony Chua at the PBA Office to clarify the trade involving Red Bull’s Celino Cruz and Cyrus Baguio in exchange for Air21′s 2011 and 2012 1st round draft picks.”

“After the assurances from both Alvarez and Chua that the both teams will positively address the Commissioner’s concerns and will continue to uphold the league’s rules and regulations, particularly those pertaining to the Team Salary Cap, the trade was approved accordingly.”

Meanwhile, the Air21 Express meet the Purefoods Giants Sunday night at 6:30pm in the first game of the wildcard stage after the game between Coca-Cola Tigers and San Miguel Beermen at 4:00pm.

“We are happy that Cyrus (Baguio) will suit up against Purefoods,” said Air21 mentor Bo Perasol. “We are very excited to see him play with us.”

Celino Cruz, on the other hand, will miss his first game with the Express due to family reason. He is expected to play for the Express if they would advance to the next stage of wildcard round.

The Express, who relies heavily on Arwind Santos, Gary David, Don Allado and Wynne Arboleda, finished the elimination round at 8-10.

THEY loss one of the most impressive shooting big men a week ago, but they received a special gift on Christmas night – the league’s high-flying superstar.

Air21 team governor and manager Lito Alvarez officially broke the news first on this website last Sunday (December 25, 2008) that they already got the services of Cyrus Baguio and veteran playmaker Celino Cruz from Red Bull.

Alvarez announced the news after the team lost to the Talk ‘N Text Texters.

“It’s really great to add players like Cyrus (Baguio) and Celino (Cruz) who can help us in our campaign not only here in this conference but also for our future,” said Alvarez. “We traded Ranidel for Don Allado then we got Cyrus. I’m sure we are in a right direction.”

Air21 gave two first round picks (2011 and 2012) for Red Bull to complete the trade.

Baguio, who averaged 14.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 18 games for Red Bull in the elimination round, is definitely a great boost to Air21’s wildcard campaign when it faces Purefoods on Sunday.

“If there is a player who absolutely fits to our system, it is Baguio,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol. “He and Celino are great addition to our team. We are all excited.”

Cruz almost recorded an average of seven points and four assists for Red Bull in 18 games played in the elimination round.

Baguio is expected to join in Air21’s practice today at the Xavier Gym and set to play for Sunday. Cruz, on the other hand, will skip the practice and set to join the next day of scrimmages due to family reason, according to Alvarez.   

Air21 traded superstar Ranidel De Ocampo a week ago to Talk ‘N Text for the rights of Don Allado and a 2012 first round pick.
   

RANIDEL De Ocampo made sure his former team – the Air21 Express – would not forget his true value. 

De Ocampo nailed a buzzer-beating jumper to power the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to a narrow 109-108 win against the Air21 Express on Thursday (Chrismas day) in the end of the elimination round of PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The win – their 11 after 18 games in the elimination round – has given Talk ‘N Text an outright semifinals behind another outright semifinalist Alaska Aces (12-6).

“We’re leading by almost 15 points, but we totally lost our composure,” said Air21 coach Dolriech ‘Bo’ Perasol. “Ranidel is really great player who keeps fighting even n the endgame.”

De Ocampo, who was traded to Talk ‘N Text for the rights of Don Allado and 2012 first round pick a week ago, scored 18 points and 16 rebounds against his former team.

Gary David paced the Express with 23 points with five rebounds, while Don Allado got a personal conference high 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals against his former squad.

Wynne Arboleda made 14 points, while Egay Billiones had 12 points and Nino Canaleta added eight points. Doug Kramer and Arwind Santos contributed nine points each for the Express, who dropped to the wildcard round at 8-10     

The Express meet the Purefoods TJ Giants in the first round of wildcard at 6:30pm.

David gave his team a one-point lead, 108-107, with his split free throws when Castro fouled him while attempting a jumpshot with 2.1 seconds. He was a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line before missing ninth of his 10th foul shots.

The Tropang Texters’ were actually down by 15 points, 75-90, late in the third frame but veteran forward Harvey Carey led a comeback by scoring 11 of his 17 points in the pivotal final fame.

Individual Scores:

Talk N’ Text 109 – Alapag 23, R. De Ocampo 18, Carey 17, Cardona 16, Y. De Ocampo 14, Castro 12, Aljamal 4, Ritualo 3, Peek 2, Escobal 0, Lao 0.

Air21 108 – David 23, Allado 18, Arboleda 14, Billones 12, Kramer 9, Santos 9, Canaleta 8, Quinahan 7, Intal 4, Cruz 2, Sta. Maria 2.

Quarter Scores: 31-33, 60-57, 77-90, 109-108.