Air21 sends Telan to Coca-Cola

By Noli Cortez
Malaya
August 11, 2007

Mark Telan's pro league journey has taken on another complex turn.

The 6-foot-7 forward-center will shed the Air21 uniform for the Coca-Cola red-and-whites when the Philippine Cup starts on Sept. 23.

Telan and Coca-Cola officials will meet today to finalize the deal.

The player's two-year contract with Air21 expired last July 31. Coca-Cola is ready to give him another two-year contract, according to team manager JB Baylon.

In exchange, the Express are getting the Tigers' first round pick that can be used in either this year's rookie draft or next year.

The trade is actually a stipulation in the two teams' three-way trade with Ginebra last year that involved a total of seven players, including Rudy Hatfield and Rafi Reavis.

"Panibagong challenge na naman ito," said Telan, 31, after being informed by Express coach Bo Perasol of the deal yesterday.

"Pero okay lang. Wala naman kasi akong nakikitang masama since Coke's style of play and my game are similar. Running game din kasi sila," he added.

The Tigers will be Telan's fifth team in what will be his ninth season in the team. The former La Salle standout and UAAP Most Valuable Player was among those directly elevated to the pro league by Tanduay in 2000. He also had stints with Shell and Talk N Text.

Telan will surely be a big help to Coke, which only has Ali Peek as a consistent and reliable inside threat. Telan also has some nifty outside touch punctuated by an occasional triple.

The acquisition of Telan is also one of the vital moves the Tigers are doing in the off-season to bolster a lineup that has only four players with live contracts.