Time to shine for ex-Realtors/ Bolts

Playing time at last for Isip and Bitoy

Someone tell the chinky-eyed beauty Ms. Sheila Lina that it’s okay now, she can finally jump for joy, exchange pleasantries and high fives as her team, the Air21 Express (former Shopinas.Com), has finally salvaged a victory in its young PBA career.

Thanks largely to the “mana from heaven,” known in these circles as being awarded the rights to 6”11 import Marcus Douthit, the Express won over sister team Barako Bull Energy, 97-88. But at the same breath, credit should also be given the Express’ new recruits—underrated forwards Nelbert “Bitoy” Omolon and Mark Isip who last saw meaningful action with this writer’s old love, the Santa Lucia Realtors (once Team MVP took over and overhauled the line-up, Omolon was under utilized by coach Ryan Gregorio while Isip bounced around the league like a modern day Chris Bolado).


It didn’t take long for both to take command of the unbalanced and chemistry-lacking Express. While Douthit will continue to prove invaluable and irreplaceable at the center position, Omolon and Isip address two needs that the Express lacked last conference to compete.

A post presence who is not afraid to get hit, and a perimeter defender who isn’t all theatrics and show.

Young bigs Magi Sison and James Sena have the height, athleticism and promise—but both are raw and play more small than power forward. Isip broadens Coach Franz Pumaren’s attack by being a reliable mid range jump shooter, banger, rebounder and post-up option if need be. Think Willy Wilson, minus the Fil-Am swag and ink but with a more polished offensive repertoire and that’s Isip (unfortunately, both are undersized power forwards but still).

Sheila Lina: Reason to smile

Then there’s Omolon. Being a die hard Realtors fan, there’s no other player that this writer has grown to love more than the Bukidnon native. He was thrust into the limelight as the do-it-all small forward to backstop stars Kenneth Duremdes, Dennis Espino, Marlou Aquino and in some ways, Paolo Mendoza. Problem was, he was still making the transition from playing mostly power forward in college and didn’t have a jumper to save his life. Once Kelly Williams came in, Omolon’s role started to evolve. He ran the floor better, and embraced a definitive role to which he’s one of the league’s best—a stopper.

At an in-shape 6”4 and 185 lbs., Omolon was big enough to guard imports and quick enough to stay in front of the PBA’s best guards. Add the fact that he played alongside now established defensive pitbulls Denok Miranda and Ryan Reyes, well, that says a lot about this guy’s pedigree. Oh, and he scores buckets underneath the paint, Freddie Abuda-style.

Omolon also relieves Coach Franz of the headaches brought about by Ron Artest wannabe Ogie Menor’s on-court antics. You can be a very good defender, you can have swagger, but Menor’s behavior on the court shows immaturity—making faces, throwing expletives at anyone in sight, and false bravado. This writer appreciates throwback players who don’t give a rat’s ass, but you didn’t see the bruising greats like Chito Loyzaga, Frankie Lim and even Wilmer Ong “act tough” on the floor and pose for cameras. They dished out hard fouls, didn’t apologize, made some few remarks here and there, but couldn’t care less—that’s real O.G. Menor? He showboats after every good/bad play.

And if he was THAT good a defender, then why do opposing team’s scoring guards—the one he’s supposed to lockdown, enjoy huge numbers against Air21/Shopinas.Com?

The future looks brighter now for Air21 with Douthit, Omolon and Isip all in tow—while allowing the true “star in waiting” RJ Jazul time to develop as one of the league’s top perimeter threats. It also eases the burden on aging favorite Ren Ren Ritualo who can go back to his old, gun-slinging ways and know that someone actually has his back instead of having guys who look only to pad their individual stats (Menor, Paolo Hubalde).