FedEx five to cash in on fast delivery

Airfreight Inc. 2100/FedEx buckled down to work after its acceptance as a member of the Philippine Basketball Association Thursday night, mapping out initial battleplan and team buildup although team officials have yet to decide on whose hands to give the coaching reins of the ballclub.

While saying that they’re considering on keeping Derrick Pumaren whom they acquired from Tanduay, AF2100 president Lito Alvarez also pointed out that they’re studying other options, including the possibility of tapping a foreign coach.

Alvarez said they want their would-be coach and their players living up to the team’s name.

"We already have a definite style in mind. We want our team to be full of fastbreaks, three-points shots and dunks. Gusto namin, bagay sa team name namin. Alangan naman Federal Express kami tapos slow break ang style namin," said Alvarez.

"Marami ng naga-apply as coach and we are studying their style, baka slow break ang style, aba hindi pwede. We (FedEx) deliver fast, so our philosophy would be a fastbreaking game," he added.

Among those who have applied for the job is Welcoat mentor Junel Baculi while the foreign mentor being considered by Airfreight/FedEx officials is Paul Copper, an American mentor calling the shots for the Chinese Taipei national team.

Alvarez said they will name their coach before the 2002 PBA draft set Jan. 13 at the Glorietta in Makati.

AF2100 owns the right for the first pick overall and Alvarez said they will use it either on Romel Adducul or Chris Clay.

"If Chris Clay gets his DoJ (Department of Justice) documents, we’ll most likely make him the No.1 pick. If not, then we’ll surely get Adducul," said Alvarez.

"But the truth is we don't want Chris to get his DoJ recognition so we can get both Chris and Romel. Si Romel this year, Chris next year," added Alvarez, who also bared his plan on tapping Clay to play as their import should he fail to get the needed documents on time.

The PBA Commissioner’s Office has extended up to Jan. 10 the deadline for submission of the required documents for the Fil-foreign players to be eligible for drafting. Former San Juan Knights’ star forward Raffi Reavies was the first among Fil-Am hopefuls cleared by the DoJ.

With the PBA board approving AF2100’s purchase of Tanduay, the Bert Lina owned company automatically acquired all the rights on the Tanduay players, including aces Jeffrey Cariaso and Bong Hawkins.

But Alvarez said they’re thinking of buying out the contracts of the former Rhum Masters, stressing they intend to form a team with fresh legs.

"We’ll bid to gain the services of Rudy Hatfield who used to play for us in the MBA. Maybe we can use Cariaso and Bong Hawkins as trade baits for him," said Alvarez.

Meanwhile, despite their entry into the PBA, AF2100 chairman and CEO Bert Lina said they intend to continue supporting amateur sports.

Already bankrolling the national basketball youth team, Lina bared his plan to revive the biggest and most colorful summer spectacle in the country — the annual cycling tour.

" The plan started in last year’s Southeast Asian Games. Nakausap ko yung national cyclists doon and nagkaroon ako ng idea na mag-hold ng tour-style na competition," said Lina.

The famous Laguna sportsman said he already has a budget ready but did not disclose how much it is worth.

"Money is not a problem," said Lina.