The Cinderella Man

Air21's Cinderella Man
(Photo courtesy of Sports5)

If you were to tell us at the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup that the Air21 Express would make a run to the PBA Finals, we'd just give you a dismissive look. Or whatever counts as one on whatever social media platform.

More so if you were to tell us that it would be journeyman Sean Anthony, leading the Express' to glory. Then we'd probably not give you the time of day. At all.

Nothing against the career "8 points, 5 rebounds in 23 minutes" averaging, energetic small/power forward, but he has always been more of what former PBA player and UAAP Most Valuable Player Rich Alvarez should've been had he opted to get stronger for the pros and maybe address some facets of his game.


Well, did you know that Anthony suited up in only 3 games in the Eliminations round? And that he averaged a sterling 14 points and 7 rebounds in 31 minutes. Talk about making the most of an Express rotation that is short on the small forward spot, hell, Anthony took the proverbial ball and made a dash to the nearest airport and flew the hell away from here.

Come the do-or-die series versus the superstar-laden San Miguel Beermen wherein he was pitted against the likes of reigning PBA MVP Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter AND Chris Lutz, Anthony put in 21 points and 9 rebounds in 33 minutes. Just TWO minutes more than he averaged in the eliminations and yet the production went sky high.

In Game One the Best-of-Five Semifinals against San Mig Coffee, Anthony was at it again this time scoring 29 points in 25 minutes. TWENTY NINE POINTS IN TWENTY FIVE MINUTES. Yes, his rebounding went down (try getting rebounds from Marc Pingris, their big import, Rafi Reavis, et. al.) but the scoring? Maaaaaaaaaaaaan get the F out of here.

All things considered, we do hope that Anthony's run is for real and doesn't fizzle out when the clock strikes 12. Yes, he's probably getting his points mainly because he hasn't been scouted (the guy's played less than 10 games this conference), but it's always nice to see new guys trying to make a name for themselves and just playing all-out.

Hopefully, whatever happens to the Express this conference, Anthony gets to showcase his wares as one of the league's better small forwards. If you've been paying close attention, guys who deliver for the Express, are, well, "delivered" somewhere else sooner rather than later.