Air21 to Jaworski: Coaching job is yours for the taking

by Noli Cortez
Malaya
October 11, 2007

The job is his for the taking—if the Living Legend wants it.

This, according to Air21 president and team manager Lito Alvarez, was the guarantee he gave former senator Robert Jaworski who is being courted by the Express to take over the coaching job from Bo Perasol.

"Basta ang sinabi ko sa kanya, any time na gusto niyang hawakan ang team, kanya ‘yun," Alvarez related yesterday, adding he talked to Jaworski before the latter left for the States last week.

"Ang sabi naman niya, ipatuloy na muna daw ke coach Bo (Perasol) and once na naayos na niya ang mga dapat niyang ayusin sa US, mag-uusap ulit kami ng formal."

The four-time PBA champion coach, according to Alvarez, is attending to various business concerns in the US, which explains why they can’t sit down long enough to discuss Air21’s offer.

This means Perasol will continue handling the Express, at least in the season-opening Smart Philippine Cup that kicks off this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Sabi ni coach Sonny, magaling naman daw si coach Bo at kaya niyang hawakan ang team. Ang sabi ko naman, ‘miss ka na ng mga (PBA) fans mo,’" Alvarez said.

For now, Air21 will remain intact, notwithstanding some tantalizing offers from some teams.

Talk N Text had reportedly offered one of its centers for a two-player combination among Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo or KG Canaleta.

Although his team needs a center to provide back-up for Homer Se, Alvarez said he needs more time to think about the Phone Pals’ proposal.

"Sa ngayon kasi, ang tingin ko masisiyahan na ang mga fans sa team namin. Mga bata kasi ang mga players namin, kayang-kayang ibigay ang klase ng Air21 game na fast-paced at pressure defense," he explained.

The Express will try to prove Alvarez right when they square off with Magnolia (formerly San Miguel Beer) in the lone opening game this Sunday.