| Air21 Express | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Joined | 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| History | FedEx Express 2002-2005 Air21 Express 2005-present |
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| Team colors | Indigo and white | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Company | Airfrieght 2100, Inc. The 2002 PBA season was the twenty-eighth season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach |  Bo Perasol |
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| Championships | none | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Uniforms | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Air21 Express is a Philippine Basketball Association team that began in 2002. Dolreich "Bo" Perasol is a Filipino professional basketball head coach of the Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association. The Philippine Basketball Association awards a championship trophy (or cup to the winning team at the end of each conference (tournament The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA is a Professional Basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1975.
Air21 is owned by Airfreight 2100, a subsidiary of the Lina Group of Companies, owners of the defunct Laguna Lakers of the Metropolitan Basketball Association. The Laguna Lakers (or the FedEx-Laguna Lakers) was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998 The Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA or Metroball was a Professional Basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998 The franchise bought the former Tanduay team after the 2001 season. The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA Philippine Basketball Association (PBA and Philippine Basketball Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar.
From its first season until 2005, the team was dubbed as the FedEx Express before changing to its current name a season later.
Contents |
History
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters made its PBA return in the 1999 season, after a 12-year hiatus. The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA Philippine Basketball Association (PBA and Philippine Basketball Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) This time, the team had a new ownership of Asia Brewery of Lucio Tan's son, Bong (The Tanduay team in the 1970's and 80's was owned by the great Elizalde family). Asia Brewery is the second largest brewery in the Philippines, with 10% share in its home market Lucio Tan (born July 17 After a runner-up finish in the 1999 All-Filipino Conference, the Rhum Masters failed to advanced the finals since. To add insult, the deportation of alleged fil-sham Sonny Alvarado and the indefinite suspensions of Eric Menk and Rudy Hatfield (due to lack of documents to prove themselves as a legitimate Fil-American), the management became frustrated.
After the 2001 season, the firesale began as Tanduay traded Dondon Hontiveros to San Miguel, Jeffrey Cariaso to the new Coca Cola franchise and Menk to Barangay Ginebra. The Coca-Cola Tigers is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002, when the then- San Miguel Corporation -owned Coca The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979. After this, Tanduay sold its franchise of the Bert Lina and the local franchisee of FedEx for a reported sum of PHP 60-75 million. FedEx Corporation ( is a Logistics services company based in the United States. The peso ( Filipino: piso) ( sign: ₱; code: PHP) is the currency of the Philippines.
Technically, the old Tanduay franchise and the current Air21 team's lineage were pulled apart as did most of the other PBA teams (Tanduay/Purefoods, Crispa/Shell, et al. ).
Laguna Lakers
In 1998, the Metropolitan Basketball Association was formed as a professional regional basketball league. The Laguna Lakers (or the FedEx-Laguna Lakers) was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998 Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) The Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA or Metroball was a Professional Basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998 The Laguna Lakers was one of the 12 original teams in the league with Lina and FedEx owning it. The Laguna Lakers (or the FedEx-Laguna Lakers) was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998
The Lakers failed to enter the finals in both the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Laguna also added Fil-Americans Rudy Hatfield, Jeff Flowers and Cris Clay to their roster. Biboy Simon, future Air21 point guard Wynne Arboleda and Jovy Sese also played for the Lakers, Simon was known for his 54 point outing during an MBA game. Point guard ( PG) also called the one or " the ball-handler " is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game
In 2000, the Lakers advanced to the finals of the special Intra-Conference tournament but lost to the San Juan Knights. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. For the capital city of Puerto Rico see San Juan Puerto Rico. In 2001, they also failed to advanced to the National championship.
After the sale of Tanduay to FedEx, the Lakers abandoned the league to concentrate on their PBA stint.
There is absolutely no lineage between the Laguna Lakers' MBA franchise and the current PBA franchise despite having the same owners.
2002-2005: FedEx Express
After the purchase, they named the team as the FedEx Express. The Express monicker was used as a reference to their company's role in fast-paced delivery.
In the 2002 PBA Draft, the Express hold the first overall pick in the draft. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Initially, the FedEx expressed its desire to draft MBA star Rommel Adducul, but his MBA team the Batangas Blades deny Adducul's request of a release. This article is about the province For the city see Batangas City. With this, FedEx nabbed St Francis of Assisi center Yancy de Ocampo as the first pick in the draft. Also in the first round, the Express landed De La Salle University star Renren Ritualo with the eight pick. Jerry Codinera was also added to the team along with a few holdovers from Tanduay.
Many-time amateur and commercial league champion coach Derrick Pumaren was named as the first head coach of the FedEx team. He was the last coach of the Tanduay franchise in the PBA before it was absorbed by FedEx.
Former Tanduay forward Bong Hawkins was among those absorbed by the FedEx franchise in 2002. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. However, a controversy sparked Hawkins and FedEx management. The former Perpetual Help standout wanted to have the same terms of the salary he held with Tanduay while FedEx management was basing the contract on a written one. The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD (UPHD or simply Perpetual, is a private non-sectarian university of higher learning located in Las Pinas City In the end, Hawkins eventually joined Coca-Cola in 2003. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.
FedEx's first-ever match was an opening game against the Coca Cola Tigers which they lost. The Coca-Cola Tigers is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002, when the then- San Miguel Corporation -owned Coca At that time, Ritualo was loaned the RP National pool. The Express also added Bong Alvarez in the lineup. along with Jermaine Walker as one of the imports. The Express made it to the quarterfinals of the Governors Cup but was quickly eliminated. In the Commissioners Cup, Ritualo made his much-awaited debut with FedEx but the Express once again failed to enter past the semis. Alvarez left the team for the Talk N' Text Phone Pals, but acquired the services of Vergel Meneses from Barangay Ginebra. The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979. In the All-Filipino, FedEx failed to enter the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Ritualo was named as the Rookie of the Year after the season, to spark a promising future for the team.
In 2003, the Express nabbed former MBA MVP John Ferriols in the draft. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA or Metroball was a Professional Basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998 The Express finished with an impressive second place finish in the elimination round of the All-Filipino Cup. In the quarterfinals, the Express failed to enter the semis after finishing in last place of the single-round robin quarterfinals phase.
Their performance in the All-Filipino, earned the team an early entry to the PBA Invitational tournament. The Express placed third in the special tournament, earning the team its first trophy in the league.
In the Reinforced Conference, the Express bannered Terrence Shannon as import. However, in the opening round they were eliminated by San Miguel. During the said tournament, Pumaren was fired and was replaced by former Lakers coach Bonnie Garcia.
During the 2004 PBA Draft, FedEx nabbed three picks in the first round with Marc Pingris, Ranidel de Ocampo and Wesley Gonzales. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The 2004 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA Rookie Draft is an event which will allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks In the Fiesta Conference, the Express ended up in ninth place and was eliminated by the Talk N' Text Phone Pals in the Wild-Card phase. A coaching change also happened when Garcial was replaced by legendary coach Joe Lipa.
Meneses was shipped to Red Bull Barako during the offseason for Homer Se and a draft pick. This article is about the basketball team "Red Bull Barako" also refers to a coffee drink
In the 2004-2005 Philippine Cup, the Express once again finished fourth in the classification phase and was eliminated early by the Alaska Aces. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the ice hockey team see Alaska Aces. The Alaska Aces is a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA team since 1986 under
Lipa resigned after the tournament and was replaced by former Indonesian national team mentor Bong Ramos (a Filipino). The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. They also fielded former NBA veteran Oliver "Pig" Miller for the Fiesta Conference.
The Express finished fifth in the classification phase. It was highlighted by Renren Ritualo's eight three pointers in a quarter during a game. However, in the Wild-Card phase, they were eliminated by Purefoods. The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants is a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA team under the Purefoods-Hormel division of the San Miguel Corporation.
Air21 Express
During the offseason, the Express renamed the team as the Air21 Express, when FedEx left the country. FedEx Corporation ( is a Logistics services company based in the United States. Ramos resigned at season's end, due to his failure to imply the team's policy. However, many believe that there were other reasons for the resignation.
Former Laguna Lakers head coach Bo Perasol was named as the replacement. Air21 had three picks in the first round. They nabbed PBL star Anthony Washington as the first pick and De La Salle University star Mark Cardona as the fifth pick overall. Mark "Macmac" Cardona is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals Team in the Philippine Basketball But, the Express traded Washington and Cardona in separate deals to Talk 'N Text for Yancy de Ocampo and Patrick Fran, respectively, amid criticisms by various people. The other pick went to University of the East star Niño Canaleta. The University of the East (or Pamantasan ng Silangan in Filipino and commonly abbreviated as ( UE) is a private nonsectarian University
But Air21 made a strong showing in the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference. The 2005-06 PBA Season is the 31st season of the Philippine Basketball Association. With Perasol as coach and bulky import Shawn Daniels at the helm, the Express surprised everyone with several upsets against Talk 'N Text and San Miguel to finish fourth in the classification phase. Air21 eliminated San Miguel in the wildcard phase and upset the Phone Pals in a five-game quarterfinals affair. However, in six games they were eliminated by Purefoods in the semi-finals. At the end of the conference, Air21 defeated the Barangay Ginebra Kings to capture third place in the tournament. The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979.
In the Philippine Cup, the Express acquired Mark Telan from the Talk N' Text Phone Pals for John Ferriols. On May 8, the team traded its franchise player Ritualo to the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals for Leo Avenido and two future first round picks. Some basketball fans see this trade as another rebuilding mode for the team while others speculate about a potential cost-cutting for the Express for its impending disbandment although there is no accuracy of this possibility.
However, since the Ritualo trade, the Express went 3-1 the rest of the classification phase to finish with a 7-9 record. The surge saw the improvement of Air21 rookie Canaleta, who had multiple 30-point games during the streak. However, the Express failed to beat the Coca-Cola Tigers in a one game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth. The loss relegated Air21 in a round-robin wildcard phase. In the deciding game, Ginebra beat the Express, 118-114 in overtime, to eliminate them from contention.
2006-07 season
In the offseason, the Express acquired Aries Dimaunahan and Ervin Sotto from the Ginebra as part of a huge three-team trade along with the Coca-Cola Tigers. In the 2006 PBA Draft, Air21 selected Arwind Santos of the FEU Tamaraws and the PBL's Magnolia Ice Cream with the second overall pick. The 2006 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA Rookie Draft is an event which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks Arwind Santos (born July 19, 1981 in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines) is a Filipino basketball player playing The FEU Tamaraws is the varsity team of Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP Stephen Padilla and Bruce Dacia's contract were not renewed by the team.
After a so-so performance at the Philippine Cup, the Express eked out a 7-11 record, good enough for a return trip to the wildcard phase. Needing to sweep all of the games in order to force a playoff for a quarterfinal berth, the Express defeated all wildcard teams. In the elimination game against Sta. Lucia, the Express came up short as they were beaten 121-118 via overtime.
Before the start of the wildcard phase, Air21 sent Yancy de Ocampo and Leo Avenido to Talk N Text for rookies Mark Andaya and Abby Santos plus future draft picks.
Air21 had talks with former Senator and the PBA's Living Legend Robert Jaworski to either accept a capacity within the team or as head coach before his beg prior to the start of the Fiesta Conference. Robert Salazar Jaworski (born March 8, 1946 in Baguio City, Philippines) also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski
Still, the Express finished with a 10-8 record for fifth place in the standings with Shawn Daniels as import. At one point, Air21 was 7-3 before losing five of their last eight games, before beating San Miguel in a one-game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth.
The Talk N' Text Phone Pals defeated them in the quarters in a full three-game series, despite the Express' Game 1 victory.
2007-08 season
The offseason saw Air21 taking Ateneo teammates JC Intal and Doug Kramer selected in the first round while nabbing Marvin Cruz in the final round of the 2007 PBA Draft. The 2007 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA Rookie Draft is an event which will allow teams to draft players from the amateur ranks
The buzz about Jaworski coaching the team once again came to light but the 'Living Legend' has not made any decision on it. This kept Perasol as its head coach for the 2007-08 season. The Express had a rocky 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup, finishing the elimination round with a 7-11 record tied for 8th (they were eventually seeded 8th since they've beaten team they're tied with, the Coca-Cola Tigers, in the elimination round twice). The 2007-08 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA Philippine Cup or known as the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup for Sponsorship The Coca-Cola Tigers is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002, when the then- San Miguel Corporation -owned Coca
In the ensuing wildcard phase, the Express eliminated the defending champions Barangay Ginebra Kings, thanks to Wynne Arboleda's career-high 32 points. The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979. However, they were beaten by the Tigers in the last wildcard round to be eliminated from contention.
Current roster
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Current depth chart
| Pos. The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The Ateneo de Manila University (also called " Ateneo de Manila " or simply "the Ateneo " is a private University run The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center Rommel Niño Canaleta (born July 27, 1980 in Tarlac, Philippines) is a Filipino professional Basketball player The University of the East (or Pamantasan ng Silangan in Filipino and commonly abbreviated as ( UE) is a private nonsectarian University The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center Gabriel (Gabby Espinas (born January 3, 1982 in Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines) is a Filipino Professional The Philippine Christian University (PCU, located along Taft Avenue Manila, was founded in 1946 via the initiatives of the Laymen of the Evangelical Association of the The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The University of the Philippines Diliman, or UP Diliman, is the flagship campus seat of administration and the largest Constituent University of the University The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Saint Francis of Assisi College System (SFACS is a system of private Catholic -oriented but non-sectarian Philippine educational institutions offering complete The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center For the college in Cavite see San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Cavite San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Manila (SSC-R ( Dalubhasaan The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The Ateneo de Manila University (also called " Ateneo de Manila " or simply "the Ateneo " is a private University run The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The Manuel L Quezon University (MLQU is located in Hidalgo St The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center For the college in Cavite see San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Cavite San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Manila (SSC-R ( Dalubhasaan The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center Arwind Santos (born July 19, 1981 in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines) is a Filipino basketball player playing Far Eastern University (FEU ( in the City of Manila, West Sampaloc University Belt area is a nonsectarian Private university in the Philippines The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center Saint Francis of Assisi College System (SFACS is a system of private Catholic -oriented but non-sectarian Philippine educational institutions offering complete The three basketball positions normally employed by organized Basketball teams are guard forward and center The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Middle Tennessee State University (founded September 11, 1911, and commonly abbreviated as MTSU) is an American University located Dolreich "Bo" Perasol is a Filipino professional basketball head coach of the Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Wynne Arboleda | Marvin Cruz | Egay Billiones | |
| SG | Gary David | Homer Se | ||
| SF | Arwind Santos | Niño Cañaleta | J. Point guard ( PG) also called the one or " the ball-handler " is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game The Shooting guard ( SG) also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a Basketball team The small forward, or colloquially the three, is one of the five positions in a regulation Basketball game Arwind Santos (born July 19, 1981 in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines) is a Filipino basketball player playing C. Intal | |
| PF | Ranidel de Ocampo | Doug Kramer | Gabby Espinas | |
| C | Steven Thomas | Ervin Sotto |
Players of note
PBA's 25th anniversary all-time team
- Jerry Codiñera - played for FedEx from 2002-2005
- Vergel Meneses - played for FedEx from 2002-2004
Other notable players
- Bong Alvarez - played for FedEx in 2002
- Yancy de Ocampo - played for FedEx/Air21 franchise from 2002-2003, 2005-2006; team's first-ever draft choice and had two stints with the team. Power forward is a position in the sport of Basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF" Gabriel (Gabby Espinas (born January 3, 1982 in Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines) is a Filipino Professional The center, colloquially the five, is one of the standard positions in a regulation Basketball game Steven Thomas may refer to Steven Thomas (sailor, an Australian sailor Steven Thomas (entrepreneur, an American entrepreneur The Philippine Basketball Association ’s 25 greatest players were named at the league’s silver anniversary in 2000. Jerry Codiñera (born November 14, 1966) is a retired Professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA Vergel Meneses (b January 14 1969, Malolos Bulacan) -- nicknamed "The Aerial Voyager" -- is a Filipino professional basketball
- Dindo Pumaren (San Beda) - played his last PBA season with FedEx in 2002
- Ren-Ren Ritualo (La Salle) - played for FedEx/Air21 franchise from 2002-2006; currently holds almost every team records such as total points
Imports
- Shawn Daniels - led Air21 to a third-place finish in the 2005-06 Fiesta Conference
- Alvin Jefferson - known for breaking the Araneta Coliseum backboard in a preseason game but played only two games in the 2004 Fiesta Conference
- Franz Pierre-Louis - played for FedEx in the 2002 Commissioners Cup
- Anthony 'Pig' Miller - played for FedEx in the 2005 Fiesta Conference
- Roderick Rhodes - one of the first two imports in team history
- Geremy Robinson - played as a replacement import for one game
- Terrence Shannon - played for FedEx in the 2003 Reinforced Conference
- Jermaine Walker - played for FedEx in the 2002 season
Coaches
- Derrick Pumaren (2002-2003)
- Bonnie Garcia (2003-2004)
- Joe Lipa (2004-2005)
- Bong Ramos (2005)
- Bo Perasol (2005-Present)
External links
References
| Preceded by Tanduay Rhum Masters (2nd) |
PBA teams genealogies 2002-present |
Succeeded by (incumbent) |
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic