Air21 to compete in HK cage tourney

Air21/FedEx will represent the country in the coming 16th Super Kung Sheung Cup international basketball championship in Hong Kong on July 15-23.

Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Jose Lina informed the Hong Kong organizers that Air 21/FedEx has agreed to play in the weeklong championship for the third straight year.

"We’ re happy to inform you that one of the most popular teams in the PBA has again agreed to represent the country in the tournament," said Lina in his letter to Hong Kong Basketball Association (HKBA).

"With the huge Filipino community in Hong Kong backing the team, we expect to play well against tough club teams from Asia," added Lina.

Rookie of the Year frontrunner K.G. Canaleta and brothers Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo are expected to carry the fight for the Filipinos.

Joining them are Wynne Arboleda, Mark Telan, Gary David, Leo Avenido, Homer Se, Stephen Padilla and Ryan Bernardo.

FedEx president and PBA governor Lito Alvarez will serve as head of delegation of the team also supported by Burlington, Bestank, Federal Tires and Accel.

Alvarez said the Filipinos are hoping to duplicate, if not surpass, their third-place finish in the tournament the past two years.

Last year, the Jerry Codiñera-led RP-FedEx team finished a strong third behind host Hong Kong and the Los Angeles-based Asian American Sports Club.