Air21 boots PF out, welcomes Baguio
by Josef RamosMonday, 29 December 2008 (1,964 Views, 18 Comments)
CYRUS Baguio received a warm welcome from his new teammates Sunday night.
The Air21 Express did something spectacular to eliminate the lethargic Purefoods TJ Giants, 94-82, in the first round of the wildcard stage of PBA-KFC Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
People witnessed the debut of the high-flying Baguio, who chipped in six with two assists and a block in 20 minutes of play in his first game for the Express.
The Beermen defeated the Coca-Cola Tigers, 99-89, earlier in the other wildcard game to face the Express at the same venue on January 4, 2008 (Sunday).
“I’m just starting to adjust in the new system but now I can feel I’ll be more comfortable with it soon maybe
in the next game,” said Baguio, who nailed his first two points from the foul line which gave the Express a 36-26 lead with 5:03 left before halftime.
“I really feel very excited with my new team. It looks like I’m a rookie again,” he said.
‘Taking it inside’
Gary David struggled beyond the arc and tried his game inside instead to hit 20 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the field and 10-of-11 in free throw area in addition to his three assists to lead the Express.
“I forced to take it (scoring) inside because I could not make a shot from beyond the three area,” said David, who placed fifth in scoring at the end of the elimination with 18.44 points per game in 18 games.
“It is also good that we have Cyrus around.”
Playmaking team captain Wynne Arboleda, who took the shooting guard position most of the time with Marvin Cruz tremendously playing the point, scattered 17 points and dished out six assists.
“Everybody played well tonight and we’re hoping we can sustain this great game against San Miguel Beer,” said Arboleda, who made three triples, three baskets and two free throws. “My teammates are great tonight especially the new one (Baguio).”
‘Early surge’
From a 19-14 advantage in the opening quarter, the Express refused to fold down to the Giants as David waxed hot firing away nine points in the second frame to post a 29-23 run for a 48-37 halftime spread.
JC Intal, who got five points, gave the Express their highest lead in first half, 48-36, with a few second left before the halftime break. 
Intal, David and JR Quiñahan delivered a basket each to extend the lead of the Express to 72-53 with 2:12 left in the third quarter.
An altercation between Purefoods’ main man James Yap and assistant coach Koy Banal occurred with seven minutes left in the fourth with Air21 up, 80-62, allegedly on defensive lapses by the Giants.
The Express led by as many as 24 points, 94-70, on a lay-up by Baguio late in the fourth period. They did not relinquish their advantage from there.
Yap led Purefoods with 26 points, but was scoreless in the fourth quarter.
‘Mismatch’
“When I was watching the two contenders, I saw the firepower of San Miguel Beer,” Air21 mentor Bo Perasol said. “We will have a mismatch with their big guys, but our wingmen will might spell the difference very well.”
“But it’s the same, if we can have the same intensity on defense, we’ll have confidence on our offense.”
Arwind Santos, who delivered 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting in the field and collected 11 rebounds with two blocks, successfully limited Kerby Raymundo to just 14 points – all second half only.
Doug Kramer also did his share on stopping Raymundo, who was morally distracted in the game because of stifling defense thrown at him. He even attempted to attack a fan during the fourth period.
Point guard Marvin Cruz also had a great game, finishing with 11 points to go along with five rebounds and 
two assists, while early acquisition Don Carlos Allado kept his presence felt inside by hauling 10 rebounds and scoring eight points.
‘Advance’
Veteran Celino Cruz, who was obtained by Air21 together with Baguio in exchange for two first round picks in the PBA Rookie Draft– one in 2011 and the other in 2011 – is expected to suit up on Air21-SMB face-off on Sunday (Jan. 4, 2009).
The winner will advance to the best-of-three quarterfinals against Fiesta Cup champion Barangay Ginebra.
Clashing in the other quarterfinals pairing are defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty and Rain or Shine.
Alaska and Talk ’N Text are already in the semifinals earning outright berths for finishing with the best two records at the end f the elimination phase.
Air21’s Blog Notes:
…Every time Cyrus Baguio held the ball, fans were screaming loud especially when he made two driving lay-ups in the fourth quarter…
…It looked like Purefoods was surprise in the game…The Giants could not find the right antidote to the Express wingmen advantage…
…The Giants totally lost controlled when James Yap and assistant coach Koy Banal had a disagreement in the bench….Kerby Raymundo wa s also assessed with a second motion, when he pushed Kramer…
….The Express were 0-2 in the elimination round against the Giants, but they did a wonderful job in the knockout wildcard phase…
…How about against San Miguel Beer? They are also 0-2 in the elimination…?
…Lito Alvarez, the team governor and manager, admitted San Miguel Beer is really a tough assignment but who knows?…
Individual Scores:
Air21 94 – David 20, Arboleda 17, Santos 13, Cruz 11, Allado 8, Baguio 6, Intal 5, Quinahan 4, Kramer 4, Canaleta 4, Billones 2, Sta. Maria 0.
Purefoods 82 – J. Yap 26, Villanueva 17, Raymundo 14, Lanete 9, Alvarez 6, Simon 5, Aban 3, Belga 2, Robinson 0, R. Yap 0.
Quarter Scores: 19-14, 48-37, 72-58, 94-82.
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TheDevilWearsPrada Monday, 29 December 2008 at 7:13 am
just pray guys
Im sure that they can make it 
god bless air21
http://freewebs.com/air21express
young don Monday, 29 December 2008 at 1:05 pm
…PAST is PAST…
wala na si Ranidel pero meron ng SKYRUS now its time to MOVE ON…
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To: Lito Alvarez
sana naman kunin mo si Coach Yeng Yao next conference kung merong chance…
Yeng Yao is a GOOD MENTOR & SUPER MOTIVATOR…
hindi kayo talo dyan kapag nakuha ninyo yan…
young don Monday, 29 December 2008 at 9:09 pm
Sir Josef Ramos
wala naman ganyanan…
sige ipo-post ko na lang uli pag-tapos ng season…
dmcry123 Monday, 29 December 2008 at 11:42 pm
tama coach yeng is a good mentor and a great motivator kaya maganda if makukuha xa but….
but…. baka matulad ang team sa red bull na napakawalan ang magagaling na players…
hmmmmm opinion ko lng naman…
but a nice win guys…
next stop SMB, hmmmmm mananalo na tau this time….
tiwala lng…
lujille Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 8:53 am
waaah bgay ky cyrus ang violet,.bkt nga pla ndi 8 ang jersey n0. Nia?pro bgay n dn ang 23 ala jordan ang lebron… Pra 2loy my bndana boys nrn ang air21 arwind and baguio,. Pwd mgng partner s court ang 2 preho nman cla mblis 2mkbo… Gudluck s sunday smb klban ndi p ntn nttlo smb pro kya yn….
TheChampIsHEre Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 2:00 pm
to:lujille
my no.8 n kc c cholo villanueva poh
to: young don
ndi poh aq bgo d2 actually matagal n q d2 kso ngkaroon ng moderation kya ndi aq mdlas ngvivisit d2 pero nung ala pa lagi aq ngpopost d2 aq c torch nung ala pa moderation
to: josef
auz lng qng my acct d2 pero bk8 tgal nman ng moderation hanggang ngaun ba my nggugulo pa n balahurang BGK fans?
batangueNios_asassin Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 2:20 pm
To: young don
ngaun q lng naopen ulit acct n e2 slamat s post mu kc naalala q n ulit user name q mali kc ntatatype q n user name ñ kc ntataype q s halip n N s batangueNios_asassin
kla q tuloy dti n banned aq dhil ndi napost din dti ung post q against jmarc80 natatandaan mu b nung 0-3 ang air21 db puro batikos nia ky arwind n c arwind dpat e-trade pinatulan q ung mga post niang un!! kla q aq n banned kya gumawa aq ng bgo!!!
e2 ung history ^_^
torch = batangueNios_asassin = TheChampIsHEre
pero parang guz2 q gmitin batangueNios_asassin kc proud aq eh bhala nhehehe
young don Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 5:27 pm
To: dmcry123
WAG KA MAG-ALALA [to hire COACH YENG YAO] WALANG PROBLEM DUN…
sa pag-kakaalam ko, hindi trabaho ng coach ang mag-trade pero may participation…
ang trabaho nila ay pamunuan ang buong team at gumawa ng game plan na fit sa laro ng bawat player…
ano man ang klase ng player at kung sino man ang player…
natiti-trade ang isang player kapag:
1. out of the market ang laro (Taulava sa TNT)…
2. hindi fit ang playing style sa entire game plan ng team…
3. team budget (Red Bull) at NAPAKA-RAMI PANG IBA…
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SA KASO NG RED BULL:
crisis ngayon di ba?…mahina ang kita ng kanilang company at marami ng kalaban ang product nila gaya ng:
- Lipovitan, Shark & Bachuss na nasa maliit na bote…
- ang Sting & Cobra parang soft-drinks…
- at merong tinitimpla na Extra joss & Himaviton…
kapag MALIIT ANG KITA, MALIIT DIN ang napupuntang BUDGET sa BASKETBALL TEAM at yan ang malaking problem ng mga team manager at dito na rin nag-sisimula ang trading…
kapag MAGALING ANG PLAYER, tural MATAAS DIN ANG PRESYO…
kung sa property (house & lot / jewelry) ay may APPRAISAL…
…sa PBA MERON din…
ibig-sabihin HIGH MAINTENANCE na sila at kapag hindi na pasok sa budget dito na sila namimili ng iti-trade…
well, taga Brgy. Culiat QUezon City ako…one ride to TRINOMA & WEST AVE…
West Ave., kung saan ang OFFICE ng RED BULL BARAKO (Photokina marketing)…
…”laging sarado yung ground floor nila, hindi naman dating ganon”…
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ang totoo ay product endorsing lang talaga ang purpose ng liga at wala talagang paki-alam ang mga may-ari nito kaya nga bihira ka maka-kita ng mga team owner na nanunuod ng live sa venue…
hindi dahil bussy sila at mas-lalong hindi na wala silang pera…
ginugugulan lang talaga nila ng oras kapag trip nila at kapag maganda ang estado ng team…
MANALO O MATALO,,,silang mga NEGOSYANTE ay WIN WIN na TALAGA dahil ADVERTISING lang TALAGA…
neil Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 5:38 pm
i must admit, bumabalik kumpyanasa ko sa air21… kahit na naguguluhan ako sa pag-trade kay ranidel hanggang ngayon… i thank God na lang na we got Allado and Baquio now… although ibang trade yung kay baguio, iniisip ko na lang na we traded Ranidel plus 2011 and 2012 1st round pick for Cyrus,Allado and Cruz… ok na yung trade kasi, may mga first round picks pa naman ang express in the future which we got from previous trades with TNT(Aljamal,Yancy) and Red Bull(Espinas)…
Sana naman wag na matuloy yung pagpalit ng name… masmaganda yung air21 as carrier name… bagay sa team kesa sa burger king… nakakakaba din kasi baga may maging trades pang mangyari kapag nagpalit ng name… kung dati may big-3 tayo with Ranidel, Arwind and Gary just like the celtic’s version, ngayon may amazing-3 na tayo with Arwind,Cyrus and Gary… pantapat sa the fast, furrious and fearless ng BGK…
SKYrus, arWIND, and Gary. D…. Ready to take-off!!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
God bless!
mblim Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 11:24 pm
Good Game Guys! Kahit overwhelming yung dami ng Purefoods fans that time at talo kami sa sigawan iba pa rin talaga ang quality kaysa quantity kasi kahit konti kami compared to them, mas malakas naman kaming mag cheer at mang asar!!! hehehe! Sa sobrang mang asar sumugod tuloy si pikon na KIRBY!Good Luck sa Sunday! Kaya natin yan! Let us just PRAY!!!
Josef Ramos Friday, 2 January 2009 at 6:21 am
Yes we need to moderate because there are many fans want to invade our site (not only BGK fans)… Again, this is a warning to everyone pls don’t give ugly comments to any air21 players…I will not allow it..
idol_arwind Friday, 2 January 2009 at 5:21 pm
sir. Josef Ramos paanu pala may lagay ng picture katulad ng sayo…matagal ko na kac gustong maglagay ng picture eh…
young don Friday, 2 January 2009 at 7:01 pm
To: torch = batangueNios_asassin = TheChampIsHEre
Your welcome pare…Happy New Year sayo @ sa lahat!!!…
Hahahaha!!!… nakakatuwa history mo pare kaya pala ako nagtataka kung nasan ka na…
well, hindi ako magtataka kung ma-band tayong dalawa…
yung batangueNios_asassin ang gamit mo medyo magaspang ang comment mo compare ko sa mga comment mo na TheChampIsHEre ang username mo…
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To Sir Josef Ramos:
sir sana naman may PARTICULAR TIME yung pag-MODERATE ng mga COMMENT namin…
example:
pag-katapos ng Air21 game mag-lolog-in kami pati kayo para naka-post agad yun comment namin kapag ayaw nyo naman yung message mahaharang nyo pa rin naman…
Thank po!!!…
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ano sir marami pa rin nang-GUGULO ???…
Hahahahaha…sorry na lang kayo hindi kayo makakapag-reply sa akin…
dmcry123 Friday, 2 January 2009 at 11:47 pm
WOW thnx young don… now i know…
We have a pretty good line up right now kahit alam natin na medyo crowded na tayo sa wingmen…
but dun naman tayo nakilala diba? sa ating EXPLOSIVE WINGMEN…
sana manalo tayo against SMB sa sunday…
tama si neil amazing-3 talaga…
murdoc Saturday, 3 January 2009 at 1:20 am
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody!!! Specially to you Sir Josef.
It’s nice to be back.
Una sa lahat, I want to congratulate the team kasi naipanalo nila yung unang laban sa wildcard phase although sad to say na nawala sa team si Ranidel, he’s a main man also and core of the team, still management will decide, pero okey na yun nakuha naman ng team si Cyrus Baguio – welcome to AIR21.
First time ko lang ulit nakitang mag-comment si Mike of Kuwait, kamusta na brod?! Kaya ng Express yan, kung di nakuha nung nakaraang conference sana magkaroon ng chance this time, sana…
Go AIR21.
murdoc Saturday, 3 January 2009 at 1:37 am
Young Don,
Binuhay mo kumpiyansa ko ah, gusto mo palang mentor si coach Yeng, isa sa mga paborito ko si Yeng Guiao lalo na nung Swift pa sila with Vergel Meneses.
Last few months pabasa-basa lang ako ng mga comments and feedbacks ng mga fans and supporters. Dissapointed ako nung natalo Express nung last conference sa finals against BGK pero tapos na yun, new chapter na.
Taga Culiat ka pala, kalapit lugar lang tayo dito sa QC – Project 8. Tama ka along West Ave. opisina ng Red Bull – Photokina, kahit dito sa Dubai dami kakumpetensya ng Red Bull, kaya walang duda yung pananaliksik mo, ngayon pa na recession, dami matututunan ng ibang fans sayo, how’s basketball connected to economy. hehehe!
Go AIR21!
young don Saturday, 3 January 2009 at 1:45 pm
To: Sir Josef
ini-edit nyo na naman eh…minsan lang ako mang-aasar sa mga out-sider…
ano na nga po pala nangyari sa proposal ko???…OK na po ba yun???…
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To: dmcry123
Your welcome !!!…wala yun para mas-maintindihan ng lahat…
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To: neil
Hoy! wag ka ngang ganyan…
nagsibalik na ang lahat ikaw na lang ang wala…
TAMA ng ang PAG-EEMOT, TULAD ko LAGI ka naman LAMAN ng SITE…
alam mo naman na malakas na talaga ang team…
kaya tama na ang pag-lulumpasay mo kay Ranidel…
lahat naman tayo nanghinayang sa kanya eh…
pero, syempre mami-miss pa rin natin sya!!!…
Im a type of person na HARD TO PLEASE TALAGA…
pero ang hirap naman lumipat ng team…
ang hirap kasing baguhin yung nakasanayan mo na…
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To: murdoc
Ahhh…”YENG GUIAO” pala yun…wrong speling pala ako…
kaysa naman sa parang KABAYO na si SEN. JAWORSKI…
THANK YOU FOR APPRECIATION on my COMMENT!!!…
SWIFT ba kamo???…tagal na nun ah…supot pa ako nun…
maiba ako, ilang taon na po kayo…23 lang kasi ako eh…
kaya kung swift 1991 ata, 6 yrs. young lang ako nun…
wala pa akong alam sa basketball nun…
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O BUKAS na ha walang mawawala!!!…KAYA NATI YAN!!!…
Sir Josef:
paki-sabi sa nag-bibigay ng LIBRENG TICKET…
…” PAKI-DISTRIBUTE ng MABUTI “…
walang maibigay sa akin yung kinukunan ko, HINDI AKO makapanuod ng LIVE…
young don Saturday, 3 January 2009 at 5:50 pm
opps…wrong grammar ata…hehehehe…nag-mamadali kasi…