FedEx mas interesado sa free agent market

Ibinunyag kahapon ni FedEx Express team manager Lito Alvarez na nakatutok ang kanilang koponan sa free agent market at hindi sa nalalapit na amateur draft para palakasin ang kanilang line-up sa 2003 season ng PBA.

Ayon kay Alvarez, presidente ng Airfreight 2100, ang sole licensee ng Federal Express sa bansa, na tulad ng draft, ang free agent market ay punum-puno rin ng talent na pinaniniwalaan niyang makakapuno sa kanilang sistema.

Napipisil ng FedEx na kunin sina Don Camaso, Roger Yap o Bryan Gahol para punan ang tatlong slots na bakante sa roster ng FedEx.

"Nothing is final yet, but given the opportunity, we are looking to tap these players for our team," ani Alvarez.

Apat na Express players na kinabibilangan nina Dindo Pumaren, Zal-dy Realubit, Biboy Simon at David Friedhoff ang nag-expire ang kontrata ngunit tanging si Pumaren lamang ang inaasahang mag-renew ng kontrata.

Walang pick ang FedEx sa first round at sila ay makakapili lamang sa ika-12th at ika-19th overall at dahil dito, para kay Alvarez, hindi na nila maaabutan sina Romel Adducul, Eddie Laure, John Ferriols at Enrico Villanueva.

"Much as the team would like to boost out manpower in the coming draft our hands are tied because of our position in the drafting order. But we’re still hopeful of grabbing a good talent when our turn comes," wika ni Alvarez.

Nais kunin ng FedEx sina University of the East standout Ronald Tubid o College of St. Benilde hotshot Sunday Salva-cion kung hindi pa ito napi-pick.

Naghahanap ang FedEx ng mabilis, malaking player na magiging back-up ni Yancy de Ocampo at 6-foot-5 Jerry Codiñera.

"We are still upbeat of the coming season because slowly, but surely, we can now get the players that we want," sabi naman ni FedEx Express team owner Bert Lina. "Hopefully, we will be a better team in the coming season."

Kabilang din sa Express team sina 2002 Rookie of the Year Ren Ren Ritualo, Vergel Meneses at Wynne Arboleda.