Air21 Express

(also known as FedEx Express, Air21 Express)

Team History:

The Express entered the league in 2002 after closing a deal with Tanduay Rhum to buy the franchise. They were initially named as FedEx Express and established itself as a run-and-gun team, winning games by outscoring its opponents. Their very first pick of the draft was utilized on a 6’9” beanpole from St. Francis of Assisi and former Welcoat standout Yancy de Ocampo. Renren Ritualo was a steal of a pick at 8th in the same draft (2002). Wynne Arboleda came in from Coca Cola along with gunner Biboy Simon who once erupted for 54 points in an MBA game, to rejoin their former bosses in the MBA. Named first head coach of the team was Derrick Pumaren. Aside from Pumaren, coaches who previously handled the team were Bonnie Garcia, Joe Lipa, Bong Ramos, and former UP alum Bo Perasol who previously handled the Socsargen Marlins quite briefly in the defunct MBA.

Ritualo would establish himself as the team’s franchise player after winning the ROY honors in 2002. He was pure shooter in the mold of an Allan Caidic, but his defense, like the team was known, was non-existent and left so much to be desired. In 2005 just before the start of the Philippine Cup, he was traded by the team to the powerhouse Talk N Text quintet. Yancy de Ocampo who was touted as the Express’ present and future at the center position has been traded back and forth from and to Talk N Text. Despite the massive retooling done by the team, they were still competitive and impressed hoop fanatics with their exciting brand of play. Gary David and Ranidel de Ocampo became the focal point of the new Express, along with incoming sophomore Arwind Santos and Nino Canaleta. The highest placed finish by the team was achieved in the 2005-06 Fiesta Cup when the Express finished 3rd overall behind import Shawn Daniels.

With the arrival of PBA legend Robert Jaworski to handle the team’s head coaching chores, there is an air of hope that the Express will finally be able to crack the finals and win the club’s first championship. Jaworski is a great motivator and a great coach who has whipped some of the most recognizable names to become stars of the league, e.g. Dondon Ampalayo, Leo Isaac, Dante Gonzalgo, Pido Jarencio, Jayvee Gayoso, Rudy Distrito, Vince Hizon, Bal David, and Marlou Aquino to name a few. His mere presence on the Express bench is enough to create ripples around the league and the needed jolt to bring the Express and the PBA to greater heights for years to come.

Review of the 2006-07 Season:

Philippine Cup: The Express lost franchise player Renren Ritualo through a deal in the previous season, and had to endure losing key guys in Yancy de Ocampo and Ronald Tubid who were traded to Talk N Text and Brgy. Ginebra, respectively, during the season. Multi-awarded amateur player Arwind Santos, who was drafted by the Express second overall in the draft, was an instant fit and made immediate impact to the team with his scoring and shotblocking prowess. Gary David emerged from the doldrums to lead the team and all local players in scoring. The team started slow, winning only once in its first four games but came back to win 6 of its next 14 games to gain an entry into the wildcard. The team went on to sweep all its 3 assignments in the wildcard to arrange a sudden death playoff for the last quarterfinals slot. They lost to Sta. Lucia in the decider to bow out of the race.

Fiesta Cup: The Express recalled former import Shawn Daniels to beef up the team literally and figuratively in the Fiesta Cup. Daniels previously carried the Express to a third place finish two seasons ago, the team’s highest finish ever. They started out quite hot raising to an early 4-0 lead in the standings which they carried out to an 8-3 lead which was good for second place behind crowd favorite Ginebra before falling into a deep quagmire. The team lost 8 of its last 11 games as the team failed to get its acts together after losing main man Gary David to an injury. Gary David wound up the number 2 scorer among all locals in the Fiesta Cup, en route to winning the Most Improved Player plum and a spot in the Mythical Selection and All-Defensive Team.

Biggest Blunders

The Express franchise has been involved in so many lopsided trades that seemingly boggles the mind. Luckily they made good with their draft picks so they kind of even things out. In the 2004 PBA draft, the Express had the 3rd and 4th picks overall in a draft pool that was teeming with talented big men, such as the likes of Jean Marc Pingris and Ranidel de Ocampo, who both made quite an impression in the physicals and pre-draft camp. Obviously impressed with what they saw, they mindlessly traded 6-8 Yancy de Ocampo to Talk N Text for the ninth pick (which turned out to be Wesley Gonzales). Pingris and Ocampo struggled handling the center spot for the Express. Yancy, on the other hand, formed a dreaded twin tower combination with Asi Taulava. The following year, probably realizing their folly, the Express moved heaven and earth to re-obtain their “franchise center”. It cost them the draft’s first overall pick. The Express utilized their draft pick on Fil-Am Anthony Washington but immediately traded him to the Phonepals for Yancy, in the process reuniting the de Ocampo brothers in the Express camp. Wesley Gonzales was lost in the Express scheme of things and was traded to San Miguel Beer in 2006 for Eugene Tejada. Last season, Yancy de Ocampo was traded back to Talk N Text for future draft picks. If only the Express stayed put and did not trade Yancy in 2004, they would have a roster of Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo, Nino Canaleta, Arwind Santos and Anthony Washington or anybody from that 2005 draft worthy of number one selection.