Back to Bombing for Wilson

Superstars call for chest-to-betlog defense

Though his newfound home, the Air21 Express, have lost two of their last three games of the young season, John Wilson is looking more and more like the biggest steal of all with three straight sterling performances.

Right now the former Jose Rizal University ace Heavy Bomber and Barangay Ginebra defensive specialist is averaging a solid 18 ppg, 5 rpg and 4 apg. Good enough to earn him the Express' starting SG spot, supplanting Coach Franz Pumaren's favorite Ren-Ren Ritualo.

The Air21 Rebuilding Project

Forget Baclao. If Air21 lands Wilson,
they'll get Gary David 2.0-- with more defense.

Following last season's embarrassing performance, which is expected of such a young team, the Air21 Express set their sights on rebuilding the roster in order to make a dent in the PBA. Laughable as that may seem, since Management's best interest has always been on making profit off trades, let's give the Franz Pumaren-coached squad the benefit of the doubt.

Now this is all according to newsreports (and some rumors) since the trade hasn't received the nod of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud so everything is still up in the air. What we do know at the moment is that the team isn't high on Elmer Espiritu, Paolo Hubalde, Magi Sison, Eric Salamat and nuisance Ogie Menor. Chances are, these guys will be sent elsewhere or have their contracts left to expire.

Enough is enough

Menor needs to go back
to being the star he once was 

It seems like the only time that Coach Franz Pumaren and his young Air21 Express ever make the news is when Ogie Menor makes an ass of himself on the hardcourt and gets on someone's nerves.

Yesterday's incident involving the Meralco Bolts' Mario West should serve as notice to the PBA's Commissioner's Office and whichever games/ sports body the league reports to as a whole. Granted, the foul Menor committed wasn't really "up there" with his best "hits" but the intention was rather clear. He wanted to take all of his frustrations out on the high scoring former NBA recruit. The foul would've been forgivable had it been done in a hotly contested, too close for comfort game-- but no, they were on the receiving end of yet another ass-whooping and Menor pretty much wanted to make something of it.

B-Meg's new groove

Yancy is REMINDING EVERYONE that
there are TWO dominant De Ocampo's
in the PBA today

Apologies for the 2-week hiatus, had to put all of my attention on something that could ultimately lead me to greater things-- professionally. But now that it's over, let the good times continue rolling and let's get right down to business.

Air 21 versus B-Meg in a meaningful out-of-town game that was close early before the Llamados regrouped in halftime and came out on a mission. While the story of the game was clearly between the awesome duel of imports Marqus Blakely (BMeg) and Zach Graham (Air21) who both treated fans to a brilliant case study on the difference between all-around players versus clutch gene scorers, it's always more fun to dig deeper.

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).

The Adventures of Super Bitoy continues

Super Bitoy: Proof that hard work pays off

Four games into the Commissioner's Cup and Air21's small forward Nelbert "Bitoy" Omolon is starting to turn heads with a couple of solid performances. Granted, his numbers took a hit in losses versus Petron and Bmeg after a sterling debut against Barako Bull, but Omolon quickly turned things around by leading the Express to a surprising 89-78 victory over the lethargic defending champions, Talk 'n' Text.

Being a long time Santa Lucia fan, seeing Omolon follow in the successful steps of ex-Realtors Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes of Talk 'n' Text and Joseph Yeo and Denok Miranda (who has established himself as the Wyne Arboleda of this generation) of Petron is a joy to hear. Not only is one of the more solid contributors of Santa Lucia's last title squad playing big minutes, but he is now enjoying time in the limelight after years of hard work and adjusting his game to fit the PBA style of play.

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).