Express to appeal Arboleda suspension

MANILA, Philippines - The management of Air21 ball club will appeal the case of veteran Wynne Arboleda, who has been suspended from the pro league following a mauling incident involving a fan at the Araneta Coliseum.

Team manager Lito Alvarez is hoping that Arboleda would be reinstated after having served part of his suspension in the recent KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

Arboleda was suspended for the rest of the season after attacking a heckling fan in a front row seat at the Big Dome during the Burger King-Smart Gilas game last Oct. 16.

The hard-nosed guard had played only two games, missing their last 18 assignments in the tourney where the Whoppers, set to return as the Air21 Express, finished second to last.

Alvarez said they’re keeping a spot in its roster open for Arboleda, hopeful commissioner Sonny Barrios would find merit in their appeal.

Air21 has only two legitimate point guards, Mike Cortez and Egay Billones, in its current lineup. The Express acquired the services of Cortez in exchange for Alex Cabagnot.

Arboleda said he is still in shape since he has been working out with the team without pay while he is serving his suspension.

The former MLQU stalwart been in dire financial straits due to the stiff sanction, the severest ever handed out to any player in the history of the league.

Arboleda was coming off an impressive year highlighted by his participation with the RP team in the 2009 Jones Cup when he figured in that ugly incident.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text team manager Virgil Villavicencio said import Eric Hicks had a decent performance in their two-game exhibition series with the Lhuillier team in Cebu.

The Texters split their games, with the Niños reinforced by American import in Ron Forte.

“Our import looks okay. He’s a center who put in 25 points and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes in the first game,” said Villavicencio.