Are you in the game?!

The Air21 Express continues its hunger for a crown in the PBA. From the previous conferences, they have proven they have the potential to become title contenders. The team’s run and gun game is just lovely and exciting to watch. Just overlook their turnovers though.

After the Draft day, the team becomes even more exciting with the addition of high leaper JC “The Rocket” Intal, Doug Kramer, “Marvelous” Marvin Cruz and JR Masbang. I am not very familiar with JR Masbang but with the other three, I can certainly say give good insights on them.

Intal and Kramer were teammates in Ateneo de Manila University. Intal is most effective playing the small forward position with his explosive drive to the basket moves. In his late years in UAAP, he has develop his outside shooting but it’s not that consistent yet. Kramer in the other hand, operates well under the rim. He doesn’t have a solid low post play but he does have a decent perimeter jumper. What you admire about Kramer aside from her lovely girlfriend(hahah Cheska Garcia..wOw), is his hustle, intensity, and hardwork. He is the type of player that will always dive for loose balls and go after rebounds. Meanwhile, Marvin Cruz is the standout point guard of the UP Fighting Maroons. He has good ball handling skills, court vission, leaping ability, and can very well slash to the hoop. As a point guard however, he has a tendency to drive to the basket and will suddenly dish out risky passes. He has a high turnover average for a point guard in his UAAP days. Nevertheless, Cruz is an explosive point guard. He loves the run and gun type of gun and so I think he is perfect for Air21.

So, add these new players to the likes of KG Canaleta, Gary David, Winnie Arboleda and Arwind Santos, you get added explosiveness and youth. The team only has to improve on their defense and limit their turnovers and they’ll surely be a team to watch in the PBA.

After the Draft day, the Welcoat Dragons continued in building a solid frontline by acquiring Nic Belasco from the Alaska Aces for JunJun Cabaty, the son of former PBA star, Sonny Cabatu. I’m happy with this move of the Dragons. By having Belasco, they now have a presence of a veteran in the team. Belasco is a certified PBA veteran and has championship experience. Beyond his basketball skills, he can impart so many things to the Welcoat team. On the side of the Aces, letting go of Belasco is not really a big loss since they’ve acquired two undersize bigmen in the person of UAAP standout, Ken Bono and University of Visayas star, JR Quinahan. The two stand around 6′4″ but operates effectively inside the paint.

Yousif Aljamal, the 8th overall pick by Air21 is headed to the Talk n Text Phone Pals to reunite with his San Beda head coach, Frankie Lim. Lim is the team manager for the Phone Pals. The exchange for Aljamal is yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, Marc “BigMac” Andaya is now a part of the Red Bull squad. He was freely acquired by Red Bull from Air21. I expect “BigMac” to improve in Red Bull. I think this move is a big break for him because Coach Yeng Guiao of Red Bull is very good in improving and exploiting the potentials of young players.

Purefoods, out of nowhere signed rookie free agent and PBL veteran, Chico Lanete for a 2-year, 5 million contract. I’m very surprised with this move. I think Purefoods doesn’t need a wingman or a shooting guard. Lanete plays the 2 spot and the point as well. He can shoot and slash but lacks consistency. The team, despite acquiring Rommel Adducul still needs a big man rather than a guard. I hope they’ll still make some moves in the next days…

After the 2007 PBA Draft Pick last Sunday, 17 PBA hopefuls were given the chance to play in the Pro league. Welcoat Dragons opted for Joe DeVance as their no.1 overall draft pick. The 6′8″ Samigue Eman landed no. 2 with the San Miguel Beermen. Eman by the way is from Davao City. He is a product of the University of Mindanao Wildcats. The other players selected were:

Sta. Lucia - Ryan Reyes at No. 3
Air21 - JC Intal at No. 4
Air21 - Doug Kramer No. 5
Alaska - Ken Bono No. 6
Alaska - JR Quinahan No. 7
Air21 - Yousif Aljamal at No. 8
San Miguel - Jonas Villanueva No. 9
Brgy. Ginebra - Macky Escalona No. 10

In the second round, In the second round, Ronjay Buenafe went to Coca-Cola, Arana to Welcoat, Melvin Mamaclay to Sta. Lucia, Marvin Cruz and JR Masbang to Air21, Jojo Duncil to Red Bull and Ardy Larong to Alaska.

This year’s draft isn’t as deep as the previous drafts in terms of talent and size.