Air21 pins hopes on Twin Towers

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 coach Franz Pumaren said yesterday 6-10 import Herve Lamizana of the Ivory Coast and 6-9 center Asi Taulava will play together in a huge frontline combination that should shake up the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The Express opens the second conference with a game against Globalport at the Mall of Asia Arena starting 5:45 this afternoon.

The Bert Lina franchise finished the just-concluded Philippine Cup in last place with a lowly 3-11 record. While there’s nowhere else to go but up, Air21 isn’t just thinking of improving on 10th place – the team’s goal is to qualify for the playoffs.

Air21 and Meralco are allowed to suit up an import of up to 6-11 because they missed the playoffs in the last conference while the height limit for the other imports is 6-9. Experience is clearly on the side of the Express’ Twin Towers as Lamizana is 33 and Taulava, 41. Lamizana follows in the footsteps of other African imports in the PBA, including Nigerians Julius Nwosu, Gabe Muoneke, Chamberlain (Champ) Oguchi, Jeff Varem and Chukwunike (Reggie) Okosa. Other Africans to play in the PBA were Reda Rahlimi of Morocco and Omar Samhan of Egypt.

To get ready for the Commissioner’s Cup, Pumaren shored up the Express backcourt by bringing over Jonas Villanueva from Barako Bull and Eloy Poligrates from Talk ‘N’ Text. He also welcomed forward Sean Anthony from the Tropang Texters. Gone from last conference’s roster are K. G. Canaleta to Talk ‘N’ Text and Bonbon Custodio to Globalport.

Pumaren said Lamizana can play multiple positions, is mobile and has no problem skills-wise. He described the Ivory Coast beanpole as “a stretch big guy.” Lamizana, who was a star soccer player as a kid, moved to the US when he was 14. He played three years with the Rutgers University varsity, finishing his career as the school’s third all-time leader in blocked shots. As a senior in 2003-04, he averaged 3.1 blocked shots to rank eighth in the US NCAA Division I. That season, he compiled 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocked shots in the NIT finals against Michigan. In 2002-03, Lamizana buried a triple with 16 ticks to go in leading Rutgers to a 68-65 win over eventual NCAA champion Syracuse. He raised his scoring and rebounding clips every year in the NCAA from 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds as a sophomore to 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds as a junior to 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds as a senior.

From the NCAA, Lamizana packed his sneakers to play in Turkey, Israel, South Korea, China, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Japan, Taiwan and Bahrain. In 2010, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocked shots for Ivory Coast at the FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Lamizana is coming off a stint in the Chinese league where he averaged 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds with the Sichuan Blue Whales. His best showing as a Blue Whale was in a game against Foshan where he compiled 33 points, 14 rebounds and two blocked shots in 39 minutes last November. Lamizana shot 11-of-15 field goals and 11-of-14 free throws.

Taulava said he’s thrilled to play alongside Lamizana. “Herve is picking up our system well,” he said. “He’s tall and long and we’re excited to see him play in a real game. Jonas brings in leadership and court smarts and will be a big help to us. Poli is our young and energy guy. He plays with a lot of energy on both ends of the floor. Sean is a great addition for us but won’t be healthy for a couple of weeks with his fractured hand. I’m praying we make the playoffs this conference if we stick with coach Franz’ system and do our part as a team. Hopefully, that injury bug doesn’t hit us that bad. We should have a good conference and make the playoffs.”

Lamizana’s agent Sheryl Reyes said she’s looking forward to a bounce back from Air21 with the veteran Twin Towers. “Herv is not a flashy player, his moves are more mature as he’s a veteran,” she said. “He looks skinny but he’s tough, he can do a little of everything and is known to be a good shot blocker. He has a fiancée and one kid but he’s here alone. When the team enters the semis, he will probably bring them over. It’s his first time here so he wants to see and get settled first although he heard a lot about the Philippines through his best friend Donnell Harvey. They played together with Tianjin Steel in China.”

Reyes assured that Lamizana is no pushover. “Don’t get deceived by his skinny exterior,” she said. “He’s strong. He plays alongside Asi because they complement each other and his basketball IQ is very high. Herve is very effective, he can play 2-3-4 and has post moves. In China, he defended point guards. He switches fast to different positions, depending on what his coach wants.”

Assistant team manager Danby Henares said Lamizana scored 29 points against Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter in a practice game against Barangay Ginebra last Friday. “He showed a nice shooting touch and good blocking skills also in a practice game against Talk ‘N’ Text,” said Henares. “The new guys are fitting in. A returning player who has impressed me is Mark Borboran who can shoot like Canaleta. If we can leap the eliminations, we’ll be right on track.”