AIR21 EXCITED TO HAVE DOUBLE-BARRELED ARTILLERY
Air21 made waves in the recent Commissioner’s Cup, beating powerhouse teams such as Alaska, San Mig Coffee and Petron Blaze among others and making it to the playoff round.
That gives the team enough reason to be more excited in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup as the Express will bring back the high-scoring Zach Graham as reinforcement.
Graham is expected to arrive July 17 and by that time, the Express are in deep preparation for the third conference.
Air21 coach Franz Pumaren said the reason of recalling Graham for another PBA tour is obvious.
“With Graham, we have a certified scorer on the team,” Pumaren told pba.ph.
The Express will also have an almost intact line up with KG Canaleta, now the acknowledged face of the franchise, being given a fresh three-year extension.
Canaleta is certainly elated with the treatment given to him by his mother squad.
“Tuwang-tuwa nga ako kasi parang ako yung inuna nilang asikasuhin na papirmahin ng contract,” said Canaleta.
Canaleta has averaged 16.3 points per game after rejoining the Express this season in a trade with Barangay Ginebra.
Pumaren has openly endorsed Canaleta for the Most Improved Player award and the multi-titled coach believes it’s only fitting for the team’s best local player to get a three-year maximum contract.
“With the way he’s playing, I think he deserves such a contract,” added Pumaren.
With Graham and Canaleta on one team, Pumaren has a double-barreled offensive threat.
Graham is coming off a stint in the tough Turkish League where he averaged 14.5 points per game in 28.4 minutes average of playing time. (RJ)
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