Air21 Express back on PBA floor

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Air21 Express is back and vows to deliver.

Burger King, the Bert Lina-owned franchise, is returning to its old, revered name – Air21 – in the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference, which starts on March 20.

Lina, whose Lina Group of Companies is a conglomeration of various business
endeavors, ranging from freight and cargo forwarding services to food production, and other corporate services, made the decision after Burger King achieved its goal of becoming a household name in the quick service restaurant industry.

“Burger King has already gained a significant brand awareness through the PBA and with that, has decided to channel its resources for further growth. Hence, the Lina Group of Companies will be using the PBA to again promote its flagship company–which is Air21,” said Lina.

Under Air21, the Lina-owned franchise had its best years in the professional league, with the Express nearly snatching their first-ever PBA crown in the 2008 Fiesta Conference.

“Get ready for the return of the Ube Republic,” said PBA chairman and Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez, referring to the dominant color of the Air21 banner. “We will try to re-live the success that we had with the Air21 name,” he said. “We’re very upbeat because the Express name has been synonymous with a fast, exciting team that never surrenders until the final buzzer. We can do that again.”

The Lina franchise, now being coached by multi-titled mentor Yeng Guiao, entered the league in 2002 under the FedEx Express banner, before using the Air21 Express name a few years later, where they had their most successful seasons in the league, particularly in 2008.

Playing with 6-9 import Steve Thomas, Air21 made it to its first outright semifinals appearance with a league-best 12-6 record in the elimination round of the 2008 Fiesta Conference. The Express beat the Magnolia Beverage Masters in the semis in six games, to corner their first-ever stint in a PBA championship, setting up a memorable finale against Barangay Ginebra.

Although the Air21 Express lost in the championship to the Gin Kings in a best-of-seven series that went the full route, the Express were embraced by PBA fans wholeheartedly for their spirited play and exciting brand of basketball.

For the coming Fiesta Conference, the Express will be parading LeRey Hickerson, a two-time slam-dunk champion in the Mexican League. The 6-5 Hickerson arrives March 10 to join the team in preparation for the Fiesta Conference.

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