Air21 Express: On the right track

Bet money that RJ's
taking over for Ren-Ren

With yesterday's 103-87 smashing at the hands of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, the Air21 Express have dutifully been eliminated from contention in the PBA Commissioner's Cup. Still, the young franchise was able to salvage a respectable 3-6 win-loss slate, a vast improvement over their abysmal and forgetful Philippine Cup debut.

Granted, much of the improvements should be credited to 6"11 import Marcus Douthit and new recruits Bitoy Omolon and Mark Isip. All three brought that rare championship air that only the coaching staff led by Franz Pumaren and aging veteran ren-Ren Ritualo could really relate to. Their starters from the Philippine Cup: RJ Jazul, James Sena, Paolo Hubalde and Magi Sison are all amateur upstarts at best while champion San Beda alumni Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor were simply fortunate enough to have played alongside a powerhouse collegiate import in Sam Ekwe (wonder where he is now).


Back to the Express, and how this writer sees them making an even bigger splash come next conference.

Even without Douthit (the height limit for imports next conference is at 6"5, but it still would be wise for the Express to bring in a burly center-forward instead of a high scoring wingman), the Express have the right mix to compete for a playoffs spot.

Jazul is quickly adapting to the PBA style of play as a consistent combo guard (if only he could start putting on some weight), Hubalde no longer looks like he's out to get his own numbers (that, or Coach Franz isn't stuck with just him at PG) and Omolon will always be a lock as one of the elite defenders at the SF position.

At the frontline, Isip may be undersized and lackadaisical but he is solid on the block. A great veteran big that young forwards Sison and Sena could actually learn a thing or two from instead of both trying their darndest to play Dirk Nowitzki-style every time down the floor.

And, while this writer enjoys seeing a little physicality during games, there's just no room for hooliganism and TV-tough guy antics on the basketball court. This is 2012, not the 80s or 90s. We're going through a "Basketball Renaissance" here, not a "Rewind." Ogie Menor was a good player in high school, a flashy so-so over-rated yet loved for his loyalty star in college but has now been reduced to a guy who is looking to hurt people on the floor.

Rudy Distrito, Wilmer Ong and all those other greats did what they did but it was always within the flow of the game. Extra hard fouls, elbows and even sticking their foot under jumpshooters. Menor? He's just out there to piss people off by playing extremely dirty.

InterAKTV has a poll on about who's a better enforcer, Menor or Rain or Shine's Beau Belga. Let's make one thing clear, Belga is an enforcer. He gives hard fouls that will make you think twice about driving to the lane. He doesn't start fights or does silly karate chop movements and flops on the floor a la Mick Pennisi. He does his job, gives you a foul (leaving the referees to decide about the penalties) and goes back on defense/ offense. Menor? He talks trash, sticks his fingers in the unmentionables and does a lot of pulling, pinching, tugging and whatever. And, when someone gets in his face about it, he runs to his bench. Stay classy Menor.

The Express are indeed on the right path, let's just hope that all of Menor's unnecessary antics fit for kanto basketball doesn't pull them down to the pits.