PBA Philippine Cup Preview: Air21 Express

Head Coach: Franz Pumaren

Mock Depth Chart

	1st String	2nd String	3rd String
C	Asi Taulava	Carlo Sharma
PF	Vic Manuel	Ogie Menor	Michael Burtscher
SF	Niño Canaleta	Eric Camson	Elmer Espiritu
SG	Joseph Yeo	Mac-mac Cardona	Ren-ren Ritualo
PG	Simon Atkins	Bonbon Custodio	Wynne Arboleda

2012-2013 Season Results

Conference	Result				Playoffs
	Finish	Win	Loss	Pct.	Stage	Results
Philippine Cup	8th/10	5	9	.357	QFs	Air21 100, Talk 'N Text** 105
Commissioner’s Cup	8th/10	6	8	.429	QFs	Air21 81, Alaska** 87
Governor’s Cup	10th/10	3	6	.333	Did not qualify

**Twice-to-beat advantage

Analysis:

Air21 has proven to be quite a formidable opponent when it is in good shape. Remember that match against Alaska Aces? Yeah, I do. The game where Air21 pulled the rug under Alaska, built around the extremely hot shooting of Simon Atkins, who went 6 of 6 (yes, a perfect 100%) from the rainbow country.

Joseph Yeo and Asi Taulava also proved the Express made no mistake of getting them. During their first three games donning an Express jersey, Yeo and Taulava averaged 10.7 and 9.3 points, respectively. Also, Taulava hauled in 12.7 rebounds, while Yeo dished out 4 assists.

During the offseason, Air21 traded Nelbert Omolon and Rabeh Al-Hussaini, in exchange for Nonoy Baclao, subsequently traded to Talk n’ Text with Eric Salamat for Bambam Gamalinda and Pamboy Raymundo, and Mac-mac Cardona. With Cardona on the Express, the “Green Revolution”, as I’d like to call it, gets another member, along with Yeo, Atkins, Ren-ren Ritualo, and Carlo Sharma. Familiarity will also be a factor, as Pumaren also coached the Archers, which included the aforementioned players.

Strengths:

The Shooting Guard Spot

Yeo, Cardona, and Ritualo will compose the 2 spot for the Express. Yeo, aside from the usual scoring, can also dish out some dimes. Cardona is a scorer who can shoot from the rainbow country as well as drive in for his signature teardrop. Ritualo is an outside bomber who can shoot the lights out in any particular day.

The Resurgence of “The Rock”

Asi Taulava, playing at the age of 40 years old, brings to the table his rock-solid defense, and his tenacity on the boards. Aside from that, he could also mentor young bigs such as Vic Manuel and Eric Camson.

Weaknesses

Inconsistency

Playing in the big leagues requires consistency in winning games, and so far, I think Air21 hasn’t shown this yet. They have been in a roller-coaster ride during the whole season. At times, you could say that they can make it to the playoffs, and sometimes you will just shake your head.

Center Problems

Air21 has only 1 pure center in its roster, 3 if you add Manuel and Sharma in. Asi is not aging any younger, so Air21 should make moves to beef up its frontline for the future.

Best Case Scenario: Air21 will make it to the playoffs at No.6 or 5, then no-one what is going to happen next

Worst Case Scenario: Déjà vu of the Philippine Cup as Shopinas.com Clickers.

Update: Mac Cardona was injured (MCL sprain) during an Air21 practice, and will have to wait at least 4 weeks for his debut.