Air 21 Express (formerly Shopinas.com Clickers) 2012 Thread

[fernando_hierro]

cant say that about Lina
he is in the business of selling his players to SMC
ika nga farm team

[Jay P. Mercado]

There's a sense of irony here somehow. While it's a totally different franchise (the original Air 21 team is the Barako Bulls team at present while this Air 21 team used to be the old Barako Bulls - confusing isn't it?), the penchant of the Lina franchise to own several first round draft picks in order to get quality players at a low price isn't evident in this equation. The best that Air 21 can hope for at this time is to wait for 2013 where they have a shot at the top pick of the draft. Who knows, maybe Greg Slaughter would join the draft by then?

The dilemma facing the Express now, and I empathize with Franz Pumaren for this, is that they do not have any quality players at present worthy to be traded for a first round pick. This is completely different from the previous seasons when they can give up the likes of Arwind Santos, Gary David, Ranidel De Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Ren Ren Ritualo, Mac Cardona, Jay Washington, Yancy De Ocampo, Ronald Tubid, Nino Canaleta, Alex Cabagnot, etc for first round draft picks. Which was why Air 21 became known as the school for apprenticeship - young players hone their skills here and get recognition before other teams take a second look at them and offer their first round picks for their players. Air 21 was more than willing to take this because it meant that they do not have to give the maximum salary on their fourth season and instead, pay for a prized rookie at more than half of the price. They also find themselves in the sports headlines every now and then with these trades, making it an effective marketing medium for the brand.

But now, with players like Isip, Omolon, Duncil, Hubalde, Sanz, Menor, an aging Ritualo, Jazul, etc. in their lineup, their lineup won't merit much interest. They can maximize things though by acting as a conduit for sister teams, in the process, be able to get second round picks along the way. But that's just about it. At least, for the next two seasons.

[takaki]

Having Bert "Pimp Daddy" Lina as owner & George "Da Original Pimp" Chua's boys as part of management ..... will guarantee failure for this sh*t franchise.

Of course, failure has always been part of their modus operandi este business model:

Lose, secure picks, secure players (draft or acting as conduit), sell picks, sell players, wash-rinse-repeat ....

[Jay P. Mercado]

Let's see. At least, for the next two seasons, Air 21 doesn't have anyone in their lineup who can interest other teams to pirate. So they have to build this young Express team for the time being. I assume their payroll is also the lowest in the league now as I assume only Ritualo and Omolon are paid in the six-digit mark.

They may be able to pick up young players if they serve as conduit for trades among sister teams. They would at least be getting a second round pick in the process and just hope that this person turns out to be a draft sleeper.

Franz Pumaren inked a three-year contract with the franchise at the start of the season. He'd be hard-pressed to find ways to win unless they get a super import in the 3rd Conference capable of single-handedly towing them to the playoffs. Perhaps, Pumaren can use his contacts in the US, the same agents who referred various Fil-Ams for DLSU in the past. But Pumaren can only look at the future to change his fortunes. Things may pick up on his 3rd year in his contract and I hope he succeeds because I truly feel he deserves the coaching job.

[takaki]

^ That would be agent Mike Gonzales ...... the same one responsible for supplying DLSU with a steady stream of Filams years ago e.g. Cortez, Wilson, Allado, Ramos, Castro, Cardona, etc.

Franz Pumaren does deserve a head coaching gig ..... even as far back as the Santa Lucia franchise, I had thought that he would be elevated as head coach from his advisory role.

However, it remains to be seen if Franz can lead a marginal lineup to any form of success ...... as he has always been pampered with loaded lineups in the UAAP.

[Jay P. Mercado]

Franz would have been an ideal coach for this Air 21 unit in the past when they were getting the most talented players from the draft brought about by their trade wheeling and dealings that gave them several draft picks. Pumaren's style is suitable for young players, because his defense is founded on his full court trapping which would require young legs.

I don't know how well he can run a team with veterans. Reminds me of Rick Pitino when he coached the New York Knicks in the mid-80's. He was extremely successful at Kentucky only to experience difficulties handling a team made up of Mark Jackson, John Starks, Charles Oakley, Charles Smith and Patrick Ewing. The Knicks did crack the playoffs but Pitino's full court, college style press didn't suit the Knicks.

[Gunnar]

Franz would have been an ideal coach for this Air 21 unit in the past when they were getting the most talented players from the draft brought about by their trade wheeling and dealings that gave them several draft picks. Pumaren's style is suitable for young players, because his defense is founded on his full court trapping which would require young legs.

I don't know how well he can run a team with veterans. Reminds me of Rick Pitino when he coached the New York Knicks in the mid-80's. He was extremely successful at Kentucky only to experience difficulties handling a team made up of Mark Jackson, John Starks, Charles Oakley, Charles Smith and Patrick Ewing. The Knicks did crack the playoffs but Pitino's full court, college style press didn't suit the Knicks.

The amoeba defense was Franz's trademark. He got the materials in DLSU using this type of defensive style. Even earned him 4 straight championships.

I also remember Pitino when he coached the Celtics in the 90's with Antoine Walker. He just can't bring his success in Kentucky to the NBA.

[takaki]

^^ Good points ..... Rick Pitino (and a few other NCAA-to-NBA sob stories e.g. Calipari) does make for a mirror to Franz.

However, Franz having young horses to fuel his trapping wont amount to much success also ..... pro coaches and players (even slow grizzled vets) will react quickly and appropriately once trapping is prevalent.

Franz was pampered in college ..... he always had a loaded lineup spiked by strong-willed and/or clutch guards e.g. Cortez, Ritualo, Casio, Yeo, Tang, Arana, Villanueva, Jose, Cuan, etc.

AIR21 has some decent pieces to build on ...... Duncil, Jazul, Espiritu, Sena, Menor, Sison, etc ..... Omolon and Isip (surpised that MERALCO gave him up) are nice acquisitions as well.

However, they'll need a natural PG soon to move forward, albeit slowly.

[Jay P. Mercado]

A possible key acquisition would be Ty Tang of ROS. If Pumaren can convince management to talk to ROS for Tang to move to Air 21, then that's a start. Tang and Pumaren are very familiar with each other from their DLSU experience and he could serve as the team's leader if they get him. The question is - who will they give up in return?

The problem with Air 21 is that they have a very young team but no one is capable of lighting up the scoreboards every given playing night. Duncil and Hubalde may be their most prolific guards already but no one should expect much from the two. Ronjay Buenafe and Joseph Yeo would be very good additions for Pumaren as well but they may have to give up more first round picks in the future.

He has good, big men in his stable with Isip, Omolon, Sena and Espiritu (forget Sison - he just kept breaking my heart while playing for UP). They're not dominating big men - but players who won't commit silly mistakes or would think they're good enough to play out of the system. But they're in dire need of a lot of things - consistent scorers, outside shooters, playmakers, defensive utility players, and a solid go-to-guy in the stretch. It will take some time for the Express and Pumaren to finally build a championship-caliber team.

[SamboyLim9]

Maganda pa naman ang Uniform ng Air 21. Sana next conference eh makakuha sila ng go to guy na import. Kailangan kasi nila eh mala Cardona or Caguioa na franchise player kasi puro role players ang nasa team nila.

[carloace08]

D'PBAologist-uknowme ‏@thepbaologist
Air21's loss means it'll have a 10th & last-place finish for d 2nd straight conference.

Sayang ang 3-2 start ng Air 21. Malaki sana chance nila na makapasok sa playoffs. Nevertheless, malaki ang improvement ng Air 21 from a winless Phil. Cup.

Bawi na lang next conference, Ube Republic

[sydrified]

despite the shenanigans of ogie menor, i think he is poised to get the same stats he had during his rookie conference with barako bull.

kaso he needs to get his head on the game. katakot kasi all these "violence" is making him lose his future. nakaka-ilang strikes na ba siya? every time he does something stupid, he is giving rj jazul more time to make his presence felt... as he is doing already.

http://www.sydrified.org/2012/03/men...nd-killer.html

[fernando_hierro]

he was punched by wilson
both of them should be suspended

[daddy warbucks]

^^

suspensions? hindi uso yan kay kume salud...

basta bayad ng fine ok na!

[Cool_Enz]

Sana next conference eh makakuha sila ng go to guy na import. Kailangan kasi nila eh mala Cardona or Caguioa na franchise player kasi puro role players ang nasa team nila.

The problem here is that Air21 is not interested in having a star player. Whenever a rookie or somebody else steps up to fill that role, he is immediately shipped to the highest bidder. As I said in my earlier post, if only Marcus Douthit is eligible to be traded then he would have been dealt to another team the moment he arrived from China.

[JobyBryant24]

GO AIR21!!!
GO SHOPINAS!!!
GO AIR21 EXPRESS!!!
GO LINA!!!
#ILovePBA
#ForThePEXPins

[panganiban_mj]

http://www.air21-express.com/teamprofile/RenRenRitualo.jpg

GO AIR21!!!
GO SHOPINAS!!!
GO AIR21 EXPRESS!!!
GO LINA!!!
#ILovePBA
#ForThePEXPins

[JobyBryant24]

Musta MJ? Yan ha pino-promote ko din AIR21 mo. Pa-sponsor naman!!!



GO AIR21!!!
GO SHOPINAS!!!
GO AIR21 EXPRESS!!!
GO LINA!!!
#ILovePBA
#ForThePEXPins

[jazzper]

Go Air 21 Express!

[jazzper]

Sana maging active naman sila sa trade.
Go Air21 Express!