Express transformation

Air 21 coach Franz Pumaren has transformed the Express from a doormat proposition to a competitive contender over a season but isn’t about to ring the church bells for a celebration just yet.

Last Sunday, Air 21 chalked up its first win of the PBA Philippine Cup, an 88-81 decision over Global Port at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It wasn’t a walk in the park as the game featured seven ties and eight lead changes. Near the end, Batang Pier staged a furious rally that caused some concern but the Express held on to weather the storm.

“We’re still adjusting to each other,” said Pumaren referring to the Air21 lineup that retained only RenRen Ritualo, Ogie Menor and James Sena from last year’s All-Filipino roster. “We’ve got to get better in closing out games. But the guys are working hard, we’re a different team now. Maybe, we’re a point guard short in our rotation to become a complete team.”

In the offseason, Pumaren brought in rookies Yousif Taha and Simon Atkins along with veterans Nonoy Baclao, John Wilson, KG Canaleta, Bonbon Custodio and Rob Reyes. Other holdovers were pick-ups after the previous Philippine Cup – Bitoy Omolon, Eric Salamat, Mark Isip and Wynne Arboleda. Pumaren drastically revamped the cast after Air 21, then known as Shopinas, went 0-14 in the Philippine Cup with an average losing margin of 13. The worst losses were to Petron by 25 and Rain Or Shine by 21. The closest Air 21 came to a win was its 94-90 overtime setback to Barangay Ginebra.

The win over Global evened Air 21’s record to 1-1 this conference and could signal the start of good things to come even as Reyes and Salamat are still in sick bay, recovering from injuries. The season’s far from over but at least, the Express is guaranteed to finish with an improved record from the last Philippine Cup.

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Against Global, Taha was a revelation, earning Best Player honors for collecting four points, a game-high 12 rebounds, two assists, three steals and a blocked shot in 29 minutes off the bench. His contribution was vital as in Air 21’s first game against Barako, the Express lost by three and was badly mauled off the boards by 22. Late in the Global contest, Taha got a crucial steal and rebound to seal the outcome.

Pumaren called Taha the steal of the last draft as the 11th overall pick. At 6-6, the former Mapua center should’ve gone earlier but there was talk of Taha being a head case. “We heard about that,” said Pumaren. “We didn’t believe it. Besides, if you’ve got a player who’s a head case, it’s your job as a coach to do something about it. What we like about Yousif is he brings a lot of energy to our game. He’s quick for a big guy, he doesn’t look to score, he just does what he’s supposed to do – play defense, rebound and intimidate. He’s also a very smart player.”

Taha, 24, was born in Kuwait to a Jordanian father Feras and Filipina mother Bernardina Lopez. The 245-pound center grew up in Texas where he attended Oakwood Terrace Elementary, Trinity high school and North Lake College. He transferred to Mapua in 2010 and made his mark with the Cardinals at the Filoil Flying V Cup as the best defensive player and statistical MVP last year. Taha matriculated with Cebuana Lhuillier in the D-League before applying for the draft.

Pumaren said Air 21’s other rookie Atkins won’t find it difficult adjusting to the PBA’s physicality. “That’s what I like about Simon, he’s used to playing physical,” said Pumaren. “He’s familiar with our system which we ran at La Salle. He’s just a little too excited, a little ‘gigil’ but he’s adjusting. He had open looks from the perimeter against Global but couldn’t knock down the shots. He’ll come around.”

When Pumaren sent in Atkins and Custodio to play the backcourt together, the Express went on a tear in transition. They’re the perfect combination to work Pumaren’s patented killer-press because of their quickness.  

Atkins, 24, was the 21st overall pick in the draft. He was the UAAP juniors Finals MVP in 2006 with La Salle Zobel and played five years with the Green Archers in the UAAP seniors. Atkins and Taha were Cebuana teammates in the D-League.

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Another major contributor to Air21’s win was Canaleta. “KG didn’t get to practice with us too long before the season began,” said Pumaren. “He came from a US vacation with James (Yap) and Rico (Maierhofer) then suffered a sprain. In our first game against Barako, he fractured a finger so he’s playing hurt. But he got going in the second half against Global. We went to the mismatch at the post and it worked.” Canaleta got away with 12 points, all in the second half, as Global failed to check the mismatch.

When Salamat and Reyes are activated, Air 21 should be even more formidable. Salamat was injured in the offseason, prompting Pumaren to negotiate a trade for Custodio. According to Pumaren, Reyes is recovering from a partial menisectomy and could resume practice pending passage of a “hop” test to be taken on Friday.

In beating Global, Air21 addressed the issues that led to the Express’ loss to Barako. Air 21 grabbed more rebounds, 52-37 and had more second chance points, 14-6. Against Barako, the Express scored only two second chance points and gave up 13. Aside from Taha, Pumaren drew double-digit rebounds from Sena with 10. What Air 21 will need to work on are its accuracy from the three-point arc (only 12.5 percent against Global as Canaleta, Custodio, Atkins, Ritualo and Omolon were a combined 0-of-13), rate of turnovers (committed 21 against Global) and consistency in transition on both ends.

Pumaren’s style of giving his players equal opportunity to produce has to be a positive. Against Global, seven of the 11 players who checked in logged at least 20 minutes. Atkins had the least exposure with 10 minutes but came through with five points, one rebound, one assist, one steal and no turnover. Chemistry is an essential ingredient of a contender and Pumaren knows how important it is for everyone to stay on the same page – game in, game out. On his second season at the Air 21 helm, Pumaren is beginning to like what he sees from the bench.