Air21 Express
Encyclopedia
The Barako Bull Energy is a Philippine Basketball Association
team that began in 2002.
Barako Bull is owned by Energy Food and Drinks Inc., a subsidiary of the Linaheim Corporate Services, owners of the defunct Laguna Lakers
of the Metropolitan Basketball Association
. The franchise bought the former Tanduay
team after the 2001 season.
From its first season until 2005, the team was dubbed as the FedEx Express before changing to Air21 Express. From the 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference
until the 2009-10 PBA Philippine Cup, it became known as the Burger King Titans. However, when manager Mikee Romero decided to pull out of the team, they were reorganized and renamed the Burger King Whoppers before returning to their original name starting the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference
.
However, Air21 changed its name to Barako Bull Energy after the Lina Group bought the original Barako Bull franchise and 49 percent stake of Energy Food and Drinks Inc., the owner of the Barako Bull franchise and the exclusive distributor of Red Bull Energy Drink products in the Philippines.
of Lucio Tan's
son, Bong (The Tanduay team in the 1970s and 80s was owned by the great Elizalde family). After a runner-up finish in the 1999 All-Filipino Conference, the Rhum Masters failed to advanced in the finals since. To add insult, the deportation of alleged fil-sham Sonny Alvarado and the indefinite suspensions of Eric Menk and Rudy Hatfield (due to lack of documents to prove themselves as a legitimate Fil-American), the management became frustrated.
After the 2001 season, the firesale began as Tanduay traded Dondon Hontiveros to San Miguel
, Jeffrey Cariaso to the new Coca Cola franchise and Menk to Barangay Ginebra
. After this, Tanduay sold its franchise of Bert Lina and the local franchisee of FedEx
for a reported sum of PHP
60-75 million.
Technically, the old Tanduay franchise and the current Burger King team's lineage were pulled apart as did most of the other PBA teams (Tanduay/Purefoods, Crispa/Shell, et al.).
In the 2001 PBA Draft, the Express held the first overall pick in the draft. Initially, the FedEx expressed its desire to draft MBA
star Rommel Adducul
, but his MBA team the Batangas Blades
denied Adducul's request for a release. With this, FedEx nabbed Saint Francis of Assisi College System
6-foot-9 center Yancy de Ocampo
as their first-ever pick as a PBA team. Also in the first round, the Express landed De La Salle University
star Renren Ritualo with the eight pick. Jerry Codiñera
was also added to the team along with a few holdovers from Tanduay.
Many-time amateur and commercial league champion coach Derrick Pumaren
was named as the first head coach of the FedEx team. He was the last coach of the Tanduay franchise in the PBA before it was absorbed by FedEx.
Former Tanduay forward Bong Hawkins
was among those absorbed by the FedEx franchise in 2002. However, a controversy sparked between Hawkins and the FedEx management. The former Perpetual Help
standout wanted to have the same terms of the salary he held with Tanduay while the FedEx management was basing the contract on a written one. In the end, Hawkins was released and eventually joined Coca-Cola
in 2003.
FedEx's first-ever match was an opening game against the Coca-Cola Tigers
which they lost. At that time, Ritualo was loaned the RP National pool. The Express also added Bong Alvarez in the lineup along with Jermaine Walker as one of their imports. The Express made it to the quarterfinals of the Governor's Cup but was quickly eliminated. In the Commissioner's Cup, Ritualo made his much-awaited debut with FedEx but the Express once again failed to enter past the semis. Alvarez left the team for the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, but acquired the services of Vergel Meneses
from Ginebra
. In the All-Filipino, FedEx again failed to enter the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Ritualo was named as the Rookie of the Year after the season, to spark a promising future for the team.
In 2003, the Express nabbed former MBA MVP John Ferriols
in the draft. The Express finished with an impressive second place in the elimination round of the All-Filipino Cup. In the quarterfinals, the Express failed to enter the semis after finishing last place of the single-round robin quarterfinals phase.
Their performance in the All-Filipino earned the team an early entry to the PBA Invitational tournament. The Express placed third in the special tournament, earning the team its first trophy in the league.
In the Reinforced Conference, the Express bannered Terrence Shannon as import. However, in the opening round, they were eliminated by San Miguel
. During the said tournament, Pumaren was fired and was replaced by former Lakers
coach Bonnie Garcia
.
During the 2004 Draft
, FedEx nabbed three picks in the first round with Marc Pingris
, Ranidel de Ocampo
, and Wesley Gonzales
. In the Fiesta Conference, the Express ended up in ninth place and was eliminated by the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the Wild-Card phase. A coaching change also happened when Garcia was replaced by legendary coach Joe Lipa
.
Meneses was then shipped to the Red Bull Barako during the off season for Homer Se
and a draft pick.
In the 2004-2005 Philippine Cup, the Express once again finished fourth in the classification phase and was eliminated early by the Alaska Aces
.
Lipa resigned after the tournament and was replaced by former Filipino mentor of the Indonesian national team Bong Ramos. They also fielded former NBA
veteran Oliver "Pig" Miller
for the Fiesta Conference.
The Express finished fifth in the classification phase. It was highlighted by Renren Ritualo's eight three pointers in a quarter during a game. However, in the Wild-Card phase, they were eliminated by Purefoods.
During the off season, the Express renamed the team to the Air21 Express after FedEx
left the country. Ramos resigned at season's end due to his failure to imply the team's policy. However, many believed that there were other reasons for his resignation.
Former Laguna Lakers
head coach Bo Perasol
was named as the replacement. In the 2005 PBA Draft
, Air21 had three picks in the first round. They nabbed PBL
star Anthony Washington
as the first pick and De La Salle University
star Mark Cardona
as the fifth pick overall. But the Express traded Washington and Cardona in separate deals to Talk 'N Text for Yancy de Ocampo
and Patrick Fran, respectively, amid criticisms by various people. The other pick was University of the East
star Niño Canaleta
.
But Air21 made a strong showing in the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference
. With Perasol as coach and bulky import Shawn Daniels
at the helm, the Express surprised everyone with several upsets against Talk 'N Text and San Miguel to finish fourth in the classification phase. Air21 eliminated San Miguel in the wildcard phase and upset the Phone Pals in a five-game quarterfinals affair. However, in six games they were eliminated by Purefoods in the semi-finals. At the end of the conference, Air21 defeated the Barangay Ginebra Kings
to capture third place in the tournament.
In the Philippine Cup, the Express acquired Mark Telan
from the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals for John Ferriols
. On May 8, the team traded its franchise player Ritualo to the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals for Leo Avenido and two future first round picks. Many basketball fans saw this trade as another rebuilding mode for the team while others speculate about a potential cost-cutting of the Express for its impending disbandment, although there were no accuracy of the possibility.
However, since the Ritualo trade, the Express went 3-1 the rest of the classification phase to finish with a 7-9 record. The surge saw the improvement of Air21 rookie Canaleta, who had multiple 30-point games during the streak. However, the Express failed to beat the Coca-Cola Tigers
in a one game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth. The loss relegated Air21 in a round-robin wildcard phase. In the deciding game, Ginebra beat the Express, 118-114 in overtime, to eliminate them from contention.
and Ervin Sotto
from the Ginebra as part of a huge three-team trade along with the Coca-Cola Tigers
. In the 2006 PBA Draft
, Air21 selected Arwind Santos
of the FEU Tamaraws
and the PBL's Magnolia Ice Cream with the second overall pick. Stephen Padilla and Bruce Dacia's contract were not renewed by the team.
After a so-so performance at the Philippine Cup, the Express eked out a 7-11 record, good enough for a return trip to the wildcard phase. Needing to sweep all of the games in order to force a playoff for a quarterfinal berth, the Express defeated all wildcard teams. In the elimination game against Sta. Lucia, the Express came up short as they were beaten 121-118 via overtime.
Before the start of the wildcard phase, Air21 sent Yancy de Ocampo
and Leo Avenido to Talk 'N Text for rookies Mark Andaya
and Abby Santos plus future draft picks.
Air21 also had talks with former Senator and the PBA's Living Legend Robert Jaworski
to either accept a capacity within the team or as a head coach before he beg off prior to the start of the Fiesta Conference.
Still, the Express finished with a 10-8 record for fifth place in the standings with Shawn Daniels as import. At one point, Air21 was 7-3 before losing five of their last eight games, before beating San Miguel in a one-game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth.
The Talk 'N Text Phone Pals defeated them in the quarters in a full three-game series, despite the Express' Game 1 victory.
in the first round while nabbing Marvin Cruz
in the second round of the 2007 PBA Draft
.
The buzz about Jaworski coaching the team once again came to light but the 'Living Legend' did not made any decision on it. This kept Perasol as head coach for the 2007-2008 season. The Express had a rocky 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup
, finishing the elimination round with a 7-11 record, tied for 8th (they were eventually seeded 8th since they've beaten the team they're tied with, the Coca-Cola Tigers
, in the elimination round twice).
In the ensuing wildcard phase, the Express eliminated the defending champions Barangay Ginebra Kings
, thanks to Wynne Arboleda
's career-high 32 points. However, they were beaten by the Tigers in the last wildcard causing the team to be eliminated.
In the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, the team, bannered by 6-9 hulking import Steve Thomas with Gary David
and Arwind Santos
, entered the Finals for the first time in franchise history. They then faced the crowd-darlings of Philippine basketball, the Barangay Ginebra Kings
. During Game 1, Ginebra took the game via a 105-96 decision. The Express came roaring back in Game 2 by plastering the Kings to a 124-90 route. Game 3 was also bagged by the Express. However, the Kings managed to tie the series in Game 4 with a 90-77 win. In Game 5, Air21 squeak-passed the Kings with a 76-73 dogfight and a 3-2 advantage in the searies. Needing only one game to win the series and the very first championship of the team, Air21 was prevented by a depleted lineup of the Kings due to injury, and forced a deciding Game 7 with a 80-75 victory in Game 6. And in Game 7, with all the cards in place, the two teams fought gallantly to the finish, but the more experienced Ginebra showed resiliency and defeated the Express, denying them the title. Even with the shortcoming, it was still the best showing of the team since they entered the league in 2002.
was unexceptedly traded from Air21 in exchange for Don Allado
, and a first-round pick in 2012. During the Philippine Cup eliminations, they ended up 8-10 and bowed out to the San Miguel Beermen
in the wildcard. In the next conference, they changed their name to the Burger King Titans and an all-new coaching staff was formed consisting of Yeng Guiao
, Junel Baculi, Roehl Nadurata, and Jorge Gallent
.
On January 26, 2009, they traded Don Allado
, Niño Canaleta
, JC Intal
, and Doug Kramer
. In return, they gained Beau Belga
, Chad Alonzo
, and three future picks (Ginebra's first round selections in 2012 and 2013 and another from Purefoods). Allado and Canaleta went to Purefoods while Intal and Doug Kramer moved over to Ginebra. Chico Lanete
was also part of the deal, first going to Burger King before ending up with Ginebra.
A day after the 3-way trade with the Barangay Ginebra Kings
and the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, the PBA board finally approved the entry of Burger King in the PBA through Air21. During the meeting, team manager of the Express Lito Alvarez presented the documents that proved the 60 percent ownership of Bert Lina of the Burger King franchise. He also showed a letter from the late former commissioner Jun Bernardino
that states: "if Mr. Lina owns at least 33.3 percent of any brand name in the PBA, then no franchise/transfer fee will be paid." The board then approved the name change of the franchise.
As part of the competitive change, Philippine Basketball League
team Harbour Centre Batang Pier
's owner Mikee Romero also joined the Burger King Titans as the alternate Governor and Head of Basketball Operations. Erick Arejola was also appointed as the team Manager. Romero's first move was hiring former Red Bull Barako mentor and current RP head coach Yeng Guiao
. Junel Baculi and Jorge Gallent were also added to assist Guiao.
However, barely three months after controlling the franchise, Romero handed back the team to Lina after Harbour failed to close out a deal with the Metro Pacific Company in the selling of its port company to Manuel V. Pangilinan
's Group. The amount was reportedly the one to be used in the expansion program of the Burger King
fast-food chain, which currently has a total of 63 outlets in the Philippines. This caused changes in the front office staff, with Lito Alvarez assuming the position of team manager. As a result, Gallent went to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants; Guiao and Baculi stayed as coaches. The Titans would also change their team nickname anew, using "Burger King Whopper
s" as their new team name. Guiao's long time deputy Roehl Nadurata and Johnny Tam were then hired by the team.
, reportedly unhappy in Burger King, was dealt to the Barangay Ginebra Kings along with bruiser Homer Se
for future picks while Celino Cruz
was shipped to the Purefoods TJ Giants for forward Aaron Aban
.
and Ken Bono
, and San Miguel's 2010 first round pick.Pingris was also an original member of the team being the third overall pick in the Draft. He played one season for the team before being shipped to Purefoods. He was then traded to San Miguel for Enrico Villanueva
.Bono, a one-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, first played for Alaska before he was traded to SMB. During the 2008-2009 PBA Season, Santos played a total of 44 games, averaging 16.18 points (6th overall), 7.75 rebounds (9th), 1.11 blocks (4th) shot 70.8% from the freethrow line and 40.4% from the field in 31.73 minutes (12th) per game.
at the Araneta Coliseum
, specifically halfway in the second quarter, Wynne Arboleda
physically assaulted a paying spectator, Alain Katigbak, after the latter shouted profane words directed at him following his second flagrant foul against Gilas' Mac Baracael. As a result of the second flagrant foul, he was ejected from the court soon after.
Three days later, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios
suspended him for the rest of the 2009-2010 season without pay effective immediately, on top of any possible court case Katigbak would file against him as a result of the assault. The suspension is said to be the league's heaviest sanction to date. In addition, he was fined PhP20,000 for the two flagrant 1 fouls he committed, and was blacklisted from attending PBA games during the period of his suspension.
and Rich Alvarez
from the Barangay Ginebra Kings
in exchange for Yancy de Ocampo
and a future 2nd round draft pick. They also got the service of Mike Cortez
from the San Miguel Beermen
in exchange for Alex Cabagnot
. They then drafted Nonoy Baclao
, Rabeh Al-Hussaini
, and Rey Guevarra
.
has finally closed a deal with the Air 21 Express with the approval of Commissioner Chito Salud. The Beermen shifted Paul Artadi
, Danny Seigle
, Cebuano Hot Shot Dondon Hontiveros
and Dorian Pena
to the Express in exchange for three draft rookie draft picks Nonoy Baclao
, Rabeh Al-Hussaini
and Rey Guevarra
. The trade is the revised proposal of the Beermen which initially involved Joseph Yeo
, Danny Seigle
and Mick Pennisi
in exchange for the said top rookie picks. It was not approved by Commissioner Chito Salud until the revised trade came in.
) before its dissolution. They then acquired free agent Jondan Salvador, then on the 2011 PBA Draft
selected former Gilas reserve Dylan Ababou and PBA D - League MVP Allein Maliksi, who joined the main roster almost immediately. The team also became involved in a three way trade with sister team Shopinas.com Clickers
and B-Meg Llamados where Barako Bull acquired Don Allado and future second round picks from B - Meg, while losing Elmer Espiritu to Shopinas.
On November 16, the Philippine Basketball Association
commissioner Chito Salud
approved of a trade that sent Allein Maliksi and former Rookie of the Year Rico Maierhofer
to Barangay Ginebra Kings
, Jimbo Aquino and 2013 1st round pick(GIN) to Barako Bull Energy, and 2002 PBA
1st overall pick Yancy de Ocampo
+ 2012 2nd round pick(GIN) to B-Meg Llamados.
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
team that began in 2002.
Barako Bull is owned by Energy Food and Drinks Inc., a subsidiary of the Linaheim Corporate Services, owners of the defunct Laguna Lakers
Laguna Lakers
The Laguna Lakers was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2001. The team was owned by Bert Lina, owner of the Federal Express franchise in the Philippines...
of the Metropolitan Basketball Association
Metropolitan Basketball Association
The Metropolitan Basketball Association or Metroball was a professional basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998.The MBA overtook the Philippine Basketball Association's plans on regionalization when the league adopted a home-and-away format where teams, instead of representing...
. The franchise bought the former Tanduay
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
team after the 2001 season.
From its first season until 2005, the team was dubbed as the FedEx Express before changing to Air21 Express. From the 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference
2009 PBA Fiesta Conference
The 2009 Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference or known as the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference for sponsorship reasons, is the last conference of the 2008-09 PBA season. It started on February 28 and finished on July 17...
until the 2009-10 PBA Philippine Cup, it became known as the Burger King Titans. However, when manager Mikee Romero decided to pull out of the team, they were reorganized and renamed the Burger King Whoppers before returning to their original name starting the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference
2010 PBA Fiesta Conference
The 2010 Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference, is the last conference of the 2009-10 PBA season. It started on March 21 and finished on August 18, 2010...
.
However, Air21 changed its name to Barako Bull Energy after the Lina Group bought the original Barako Bull franchise and 49 percent stake of Energy Food and Drinks Inc., the owner of the Barako Bull franchise and the exclusive distributor of Red Bull Energy Drink products in the Philippines.
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters made its PBA return in the 1999 season, after a 12-year hiatus. This time, the team had a new ownership in Asia BreweryAsia Brewery
Asia Brewery is a brewery founded in 1982 in Makati City, the Philippines. It is one of only two breweries in the Philippines, and is the smaller of the two, with only 10% market share...
of Lucio Tan's
Lucio Tan
Lucio Tan is a prominent Chinese Filipino business magnate and is one of the most prominent business magnates in the Philippines...
son, Bong (The Tanduay team in the 1970s and 80s was owned by the great Elizalde family). After a runner-up finish in the 1999 All-Filipino Conference, the Rhum Masters failed to advanced in the finals since. To add insult, the deportation of alleged fil-sham Sonny Alvarado and the indefinite suspensions of Eric Menk and Rudy Hatfield (due to lack of documents to prove themselves as a legitimate Fil-American), the management became frustrated.
After the 2001 season, the firesale began as Tanduay traded Dondon Hontiveros to San Miguel
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
, Jeffrey Cariaso to the new Coca Cola franchise and Menk to Barangay Ginebra
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
. After this, Tanduay sold its franchise of Bert Lina and the local franchisee of FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
for a reported sum of PHP
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
60-75 million.
Technically, the old Tanduay franchise and the current Burger King team's lineage were pulled apart as did most of the other PBA teams (Tanduay/Purefoods, Crispa/Shell, et al.).
2002-2005: FedEx Express
After the purchase, they named the team as the FedEx Express. The Express moniker was used as a reference to their company's role in fast-paced delivery.In the 2001 PBA Draft, the Express held the first overall pick in the draft. Initially, the FedEx expressed its desire to draft MBA
Metropolitan Basketball Association
The Metropolitan Basketball Association or Metroball was a professional basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998.The MBA overtook the Philippine Basketball Association's plans on regionalization when the league adopted a home-and-away format where teams, instead of representing...
star Rommel Adducul
Rommel Adducul
Romel Adducul is a professional basketball player from the Philippines who currently plays in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Powerade Tigers....
, but his MBA team the Batangas Blades
Batangas Blades
The Batangas Blades is a former professional basketball team of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2002....
denied Adducul's request for a release. With this, FedEx nabbed Saint Francis of Assisi College System
Saint Francis of Assisi College System
Saint Francis of Assisi College is a system of private, Catholic-oriented but non-sectarian Philippine educational institutions, offering complete education from pre-school up to the graduate or masteral level of education...
6-foot-9 center Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy Rozal de Ocampo is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. At 6'9", he is a good outside shooter and a low post threat. He is also among the PBL's Top 20 Players of All-time...
as their first-ever pick as a PBA team. Also in the first round, the Express landed De La Salle University
De La Salle University-Manila
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...
star Renren Ritualo with the eight pick. Jerry Codiñera
Jerry Codiñera
Jerry Codiñera is a retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is nicknamed the "Defense Minister" for his prowess at the defensive end. He is also a member of the 25 Best Players of all Time of PBA and Philippine men's national basketball team of the 1994...
was also added to the team along with a few holdovers from Tanduay.
Many-time amateur and commercial league champion coach Derrick Pumaren
Derrick Pumaren
Frederick S. Pumaren, better known as Derrick Pumaren, is a Filipino basketball coach.-Career:Derrick Pumaren was a member of the UE Red Warrior 1978 and 1979 Championship Teams, PBA Consultant, and a National Team Coach...
was named as the first head coach of the FedEx team. He was the last coach of the Tanduay franchise in the PBA before it was absorbed by FedEx.
Former Tanduay forward Bong Hawkins
Bong Hawkins
Rene Hawkins Jr. better known as "Bong Hawkins" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is former starting forward for the Alaska Aces and he also played for Tivoli, Sta. Lucia, Tanduay and Coca-Cola.-Tivoli:He was drafted in 1991 by Presto...
was among those absorbed by the FedEx franchise in 2002. However, a controversy sparked between Hawkins and the FedEx management. The former Perpetual Help
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is a co-educational and non-sectarian university. It offers courses in pre-school, elementary, secondary and the tertiary and graduate levels; as well as short vocational, technical and special courses.-History:...
standout wanted to have the same terms of the salary he held with Tanduay while the FedEx management was basing the contract on a written one. In the end, Hawkins was released and eventually joined Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Tigers
The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola...
in 2003.
FedEx's first-ever match was an opening game against the Coca-Cola Tigers
Coca-Cola Tigers
The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola...
which they lost. At that time, Ritualo was loaned the RP National pool. The Express also added Bong Alvarez in the lineup along with Jermaine Walker as one of their imports. The Express made it to the quarterfinals of the Governor's Cup but was quickly eliminated. In the Commissioner's Cup, Ritualo made his much-awaited debut with FedEx but the Express once again failed to enter past the semis. Alvarez left the team for the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, but acquired the services of Vergel Meneses
Vergel Meneses
Vergel Meneses - nicknamed "The Aerial Voyager" - is a retired Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a former PBA Most Valuable Player and a many-time member of the Philippine National team...
from Ginebra
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
. In the All-Filipino, FedEx again failed to enter the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Ritualo was named as the Rookie of the Year after the season, to spark a promising future for the team.
In 2003, the Express nabbed former MBA MVP John Ferriols
John Ferriols
Hubert John B. Ferriols , better known simply as John Ferriols, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association....
in the draft. The Express finished with an impressive second place in the elimination round of the All-Filipino Cup. In the quarterfinals, the Express failed to enter the semis after finishing last place of the single-round robin quarterfinals phase.
Their performance in the All-Filipino earned the team an early entry to the PBA Invitational tournament. The Express placed third in the special tournament, earning the team its first trophy in the league.
In the Reinforced Conference, the Express bannered Terrence Shannon as import. However, in the opening round, they were eliminated by San Miguel
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
. During the said tournament, Pumaren was fired and was replaced by former Lakers
Laguna Lakers
The Laguna Lakers was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2001. The team was owned by Bert Lina, owner of the Federal Express franchise in the Philippines...
coach Bonnie Garcia
Bonnie Garcia
Bonnie Garcia was the representative of California's 80th Assembly District, serving eastern Riverside County and all of Imperial County....
.
During the 2004 Draft
2004 PBA Draft
The 2004 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event which will allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. It was held on January 16, 2004 at the Glorietta Mall at Makati City.-Round 1:-Round 2:...
, FedEx nabbed three picks in the first round with Marc Pingris
Marc Pingris
Jean Marc Pingris, Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball player in the PBA for the B-Meg Llamados. He is a versatile 6-foot-5 forward-center that can post up and shoot mid-range jumpshots. He is half-French and half-Filipino...
, Ranidel de Ocampo
Ranidel de Ocampo
Ranidel Rozal de Ocampo , better known as Ranidel de Ocampo, is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. de Ocampo currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters after he was traded by Air21 Express. He is the younger brother of Yancy de Ocampo...
, and Wesley Gonzales
Wesley Gonzales
Wesley O. Gonzales is a Filipino professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Player Profile:...
. In the Fiesta Conference, the Express ended up in ninth place and was eliminated by the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the Wild-Card phase. A coaching change also happened when Garcia was replaced by legendary coach Joe Lipa
Joe Lipa
Jose "Joe" Lipa, Jr. is a Filipino basketball coach. Lipa coached his alma mater, the University of the Philippines, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball. He has also had a head coaching stint for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and the Air21 Express of the...
.
Meneses was then shipped to the Red Bull Barako during the off season for Homer Se
Homer Se
Homer Se is a Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He was born on May 5, 1987 at Albay, Bicol, Philippines. He currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers.-Player Profile:...
and a draft pick.
In the 2004-2005 Philippine Cup, the Express once again finished fourth in the classification phase and was eliminated early by the Alaska Aces
Alaska Aces (PBA)
The Alaska Aces is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference as their latest...
.
Lipa resigned after the tournament and was replaced by former Filipino mentor of the Indonesian national team Bong Ramos. They also fielded former NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
veteran Oliver "Pig" Miller
Oliver Miller
Oliver J. Miller is an American former professional basketball player.-Career:After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Miller, who is known as "The Big O" because of his large size , was selected by the Phoenix Suns as the 22nd overall pick of the 1992 NBA Draft...
for the Fiesta Conference.
The Express finished fifth in the classification phase. It was highlighted by Renren Ritualo's eight three pointers in a quarter during a game. However, in the Wild-Card phase, they were eliminated by Purefoods.
2005-2009: Air21 Express
| Air21 Express | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
| Uniforms | |||
During the off season, the Express renamed the team to the Air21 Express after FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
left the country. Ramos resigned at season's end due to his failure to imply the team's policy. However, many believed that there were other reasons for his resignation.
Former Laguna Lakers
Laguna Lakers
The Laguna Lakers was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2001. The team was owned by Bert Lina, owner of the Federal Express franchise in the Philippines...
head coach Bo Perasol
Bo Perasol
Dolreich "Bo" Perasol is a Filipino professional basketball head coach of the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-About:Perasol is a former player and team captain for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP from the year 1990-1995...
was named as the replacement. In the 2005 PBA Draft
2005 PBA Draft
The 2005 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. It was the first PBA Draft to feature only two rounds of drafting. It was held on August 14, 2005 at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall at Cainta, Rizal.-Round 1:-Round...
, Air21 had three picks in the first round. They nabbed PBL
Philippine Basketball League
The Philippine Basketball League is a commercial semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines. The league is composed of several commercial teams with several collegiate and provincial stars.-History:...
star Anthony Washington
Jay Washington
Anthony Jay Washington, better known as Jay Washington is a Filipino-American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Petron Blaze Boosters.-College:...
as the first pick and De La Salle University
De La Salle University-Manila
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...
star Mark Cardona
Mark Cardona
Mark "Macmac" Cardona is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association...
as the fifth pick overall. But the Express traded Washington and Cardona in separate deals to Talk 'N Text for Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy Rozal de Ocampo is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. At 6'9", he is a good outside shooter and a low post threat. He is also among the PBL's Top 20 Players of All-time...
and Patrick Fran, respectively, amid criticisms by various people. The other pick was University of the East
University of the East
The University of the East is a private nonsectarian university located in University Belt Area, district of Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. The university was founded in 1946 as a coeducational institution...
star Niño Canaleta
Niño Canaleta
Rommel Niño Canaleta is a Filipino professional basketball player of Filipino-American descent. He currently plays for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association. A 6'5", 200-pound swingman, he is fondly called by nicknames like KG, The Big Ticket, and The Da Vinci of Dunk...
.
But Air21 made a strong showing in the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference
2005-06 PBA Fiesta Conference
-Second seed playoff:-Bracket:-Survivor playoffs:-Air21–San Miguel series:-Alaska–Sta. Lucia series:-Red Bull–Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text–Air21 series:-Purefoods–Air21 series:...
. With Perasol as coach and bulky import Shawn Daniels
Shawn Daniels
Shawn Daniels is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays in the National Basketball League of Canada for the London Lightning basketball team.-High school and college career:...
at the helm, the Express surprised everyone with several upsets against Talk 'N Text and San Miguel to finish fourth in the classification phase. Air21 eliminated San Miguel in the wildcard phase and upset the Phone Pals in a five-game quarterfinals affair. However, in six games they were eliminated by Purefoods in the semi-finals. At the end of the conference, Air21 defeated the Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
to capture third place in the tournament.
In the Philippine Cup, the Express acquired Mark Telan
Mark Telan
Mark Clemence Telan is a Filipino professional basketball player who last suited up for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. A former De La Salle Green Archer, he was 2-time UAAP basketball Most Valuable Player. Telan entered the professional league in 1999...
from the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals for John Ferriols
John Ferriols
Hubert John B. Ferriols , better known simply as John Ferriols, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association....
. On May 8, the team traded its franchise player Ritualo to the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals for Leo Avenido and two future first round picks. Many basketball fans saw this trade as another rebuilding mode for the team while others speculate about a potential cost-cutting of the Express for its impending disbandment, although there were no accuracy of the possibility.
However, since the Ritualo trade, the Express went 3-1 the rest of the classification phase to finish with a 7-9 record. The surge saw the improvement of Air21 rookie Canaleta, who had multiple 30-point games during the streak. However, the Express failed to beat the Coca-Cola Tigers
Coca-Cola Tigers
The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola...
in a one game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth. The loss relegated Air21 in a round-robin wildcard phase. In the deciding game, Ginebra beat the Express, 118-114 in overtime, to eliminate them from contention.
2006-07 season
In the off season, the Express acquired Aries DimaunahanAries Dimaunahan
Aristeo Dimaunahan better known as Aris Dimaunahan is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association.- Biography :...
and Ervin Sotto
Ervin Sotto
Ervin Sotto is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2004 PBA Draft by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs...
from the Ginebra as part of a huge three-team trade along with the Coca-Cola Tigers
Coca-Cola Tigers
The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola...
. In the 2006 PBA Draft
2006 PBA Draft
The 2006 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. The event was held at Market! Market! in Taguig City on August 20, 2006. The Sta. Lucia Realtors chose Kelly Williams of Oakland University and PBL-Magnolia as the first...
, Air21 selected Arwind Santos
Arwind Santos
Arwind Santos is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters. He also played college hoops at Far Eastern University in the UAAP and the Magnolia Ice Cream Spinners in the Philippine Basketball League...
of the FEU Tamaraws
FEU Tamaraws
The FEU Tamaraws is the collegiate men's varsity team of Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines...
and the PBL's Magnolia Ice Cream with the second overall pick. Stephen Padilla and Bruce Dacia's contract were not renewed by the team.
After a so-so performance at the Philippine Cup, the Express eked out a 7-11 record, good enough for a return trip to the wildcard phase. Needing to sweep all of the games in order to force a playoff for a quarterfinal berth, the Express defeated all wildcard teams. In the elimination game against Sta. Lucia, the Express came up short as they were beaten 121-118 via overtime.
Before the start of the wildcard phase, Air21 sent Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy Rozal de Ocampo is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. At 6'9", he is a good outside shooter and a low post threat. He is also among the PBL's Top 20 Players of All-time...
and Leo Avenido to Talk 'N Text for rookies Mark Andaya
Mark Andaya
Mark Anthony Andaya is a professional basketball player who last played for the Barako Bull Energy Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted eighth overall by Talk 'N Text in 2006. After playing for the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League, he was acuqired by...
and Abby Santos plus future draft picks.
Air21 also had talks with former Senator and the PBA's Living Legend Robert Jaworski
Robert Jaworski
Robert Salazar Jaworski , also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski, Robert Jaworski, Sr. or simply Jawo, is a former Philippine senator, basketball coach and Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and PBA basketball player.Known as The Big J and called The Living Legend...
to either accept a capacity within the team or as a head coach before he beg off prior to the start of the Fiesta Conference.
Still, the Express finished with a 10-8 record for fifth place in the standings with Shawn Daniels as import. At one point, Air21 was 7-3 before losing five of their last eight games, before beating San Miguel in a one-game playoff for the third outright quarterfinals berth.
The Talk 'N Text Phone Pals defeated them in the quarters in a full three-game series, despite the Express' Game 1 victory.
2007-08 season
The off season saw Air21 selecting Ateneo teammates J.C. Intal and Doug KramerDoug Kramer
Douglas R. Kramer , better known as Doug Kramer, is a Filipino basketball player who will play for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Player Profile:...
in the first round while nabbing Marvin Cruz
Marvin Cruz
Marvin L. Cruz is a Filipino Professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He last played for the Barako Bull Energy Boosters.-Player Profile:...
in the second round of the 2007 PBA Draft
2007 PBA Draft
The 2007 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which will allow teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. The event was held at Market! Market! in Taguig City on August 19, 2007...
.
The buzz about Jaworski coaching the team once again came to light but the 'Living Legend' did not made any decision on it. This kept Perasol as head coach for the 2007-2008 season. The Express had a rocky 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup
2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup
The 2007-08 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup or known as the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the first conference of the 2007-08 PBA season. The tournament was formally opened on October 14, 2007 and ended on March 2, 2008...
, finishing the elimination round with a 7-11 record, tied for 8th (they were eventually seeded 8th since they've beaten the team they're tied with, the Coca-Cola Tigers
Coca-Cola Tigers
The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola...
, in the elimination round twice).
In the ensuing wildcard phase, the Express eliminated the defending champions Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
, thanks to Wynne Arboleda
Wynne Arboleda
Wynne Arboleda is a Filipino basketball player playing professionally for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association...
's career-high 32 points. However, they were beaten by the Tigers in the last wildcard causing the team to be eliminated.
In the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, the team, bannered by 6-9 hulking import Steve Thomas with Gary David
Gary David
Gary David is a Filipino Professional basketball player currently playing for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is widely perceived as one of the most prolific scorers in the PBA today....
and Arwind Santos
Arwind Santos
Arwind Santos is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters. He also played college hoops at Far Eastern University in the UAAP and the Magnolia Ice Cream Spinners in the Philippine Basketball League...
, entered the Finals for the first time in franchise history. They then faced the crowd-darlings of Philippine basketball, the Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
. During Game 1, Ginebra took the game via a 105-96 decision. The Express came roaring back in Game 2 by plastering the Kings to a 124-90 route. Game 3 was also bagged by the Express. However, the Kings managed to tie the series in Game 4 with a 90-77 win. In Game 5, Air21 squeak-passed the Kings with a 76-73 dogfight and a 3-2 advantage in the searies. Needing only one game to win the series and the very first championship of the team, Air21 was prevented by a depleted lineup of the Kings due to injury, and forced a deciding Game 7 with a 80-75 victory in Game 6. And in Game 7, with all the cards in place, the two teams fought gallantly to the finish, but the more experienced Ginebra showed resiliency and defeated the Express, denying them the title. Even with the shortcoming, it was still the best showing of the team since they entered the league in 2002.
2008-09 season
On December 17, 2008, Ranidel de OcampoRanidel de Ocampo
Ranidel Rozal de Ocampo , better known as Ranidel de Ocampo, is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. de Ocampo currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters after he was traded by Air21 Express. He is the younger brother of Yancy de Ocampo...
was unexceptedly traded from Air21 in exchange for Don Allado
Don Allado
Don Carlos Allado is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, and a first-round pick in 2012. During the Philippine Cup eliminations, they ended up 8-10 and bowed out to the San Miguel Beermen
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
in the wildcard. In the next conference, they changed their name to the Burger King Titans and an all-new coaching staff was formed consisting of Yeng Guiao
Yeng Guiao
Joseller "Yeng" Guiao is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association, and was also the head coach of the Philippine National Basketball Team. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in...
, Junel Baculi, Roehl Nadurata, and Jorge Gallent
Jorge Gallent
Jorge Gallent is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association.-UAAP Days:...
.
On January 26, 2009, they traded Don Allado
Don Allado
Don Carlos Allado is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, Niño Canaleta
Niño Canaleta
Rommel Niño Canaleta is a Filipino professional basketball player of Filipino-American descent. He currently plays for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association. A 6'5", 200-pound swingman, he is fondly called by nicknames like KG, The Big Ticket, and The Da Vinci of Dunk...
, JC Intal
JC Intal
John Christopher A. Intal , better known as J.C. Intal, is a Filipino professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Barangay Ginebra Kings of the Philippine Basketball Association. He previously played for the Air21 Express and amateur basketball for the Harbour Centre Batang Pier of...
, and Doug Kramer
Doug Kramer
Douglas R. Kramer , better known as Doug Kramer, is a Filipino basketball player who will play for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Player Profile:...
. In return, they gained Beau Belga
Beau Belga
Beau Belga is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was the seventh overall draft pick by Purefoods in 2008 before being traded to Burger King. He played for the PCU Dolphins during his collegiate...
, Chad Alonzo
Richard Alonzo
Richard Hernando Alonzo, better known simply as Chad Alonzo, is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Barako Bull Energy Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, and three future picks (Ginebra's first round selections in 2012 and 2013 and another from Purefoods). Allado and Canaleta went to Purefoods while Intal and Doug Kramer moved over to Ginebra. Chico Lanete
Chico Lanete
Chico Lanete , from Ormoc City, Philippines, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts in the Philippine Basketball Association. He grew up in Isabela, Basilan and then played for Southern City Colleges in Zamboanga City during college before moving to Lyceum of the...
was also part of the deal, first going to Burger King before ending up with Ginebra.
Burger King Titans
| Burger King Titans | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Uniforms | |
A day after the 3-way trade with the Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
and the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, the PBA board finally approved the entry of Burger King in the PBA through Air21. During the meeting, team manager of the Express Lito Alvarez presented the documents that proved the 60 percent ownership of Bert Lina of the Burger King franchise. He also showed a letter from the late former commissioner Jun Bernardino
Jun Bernardino
Emilio "Jun" Bernardino, Jr. was the fifth commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association . He was elected as commissioner of the league in the 1993 PBA season and retired in the 2002 PBA season...
that states: "if Mr. Lina owns at least 33.3 percent of any brand name in the PBA, then no franchise/transfer fee will be paid." The board then approved the name change of the franchise.
As part of the competitive change, Philippine Basketball League
Philippine Basketball League
The Philippine Basketball League is a commercial semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines. The league is composed of several commercial teams with several collegiate and provincial stars.-History:...
team Harbour Centre Batang Pier
Harbour Centre Batang Pier
The Oracle Residences is a basketball team currently playing in the Philippine Basketball League and is owned by Mikee Romero.-Notable players and coaches:* Marcy Arellano* Jason Ballesteros* Paolo Bugia* Mark Cardona* Gabby Espinas* J.C...
's owner Mikee Romero also joined the Burger King Titans as the alternate Governor and Head of Basketball Operations. Erick Arejola was also appointed as the team Manager. Romero's first move was hiring former Red Bull Barako mentor and current RP head coach Yeng Guiao
Yeng Guiao
Joseller "Yeng" Guiao is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association, and was also the head coach of the Philippine National Basketball Team. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in...
. Junel Baculi and Jorge Gallent were also added to assist Guiao.
Burger King Whoppers (2009–2010)
| Burger King Whoppers | |
|---|---|
| Colors | |
| Uniforms | |
However, barely three months after controlling the franchise, Romero handed back the team to Lina after Harbour failed to close out a deal with the Metro Pacific Company in the selling of its port company to Manuel V. Pangilinan
Manuel V. Pangilinan
Manuel V Pangilinan , also known as Manny Pangilinan and MVP, is a Filipino businessman. He is the Chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, from 1998 up to the present....
's Group. The amount was reportedly the one to be used in the expansion program of the Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
fast-food chain, which currently has a total of 63 outlets in the Philippines. This caused changes in the front office staff, with Lito Alvarez assuming the position of team manager. As a result, Gallent went to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants; Guiao and Baculi stayed as coaches. The Titans would also change their team nickname anew, using "Burger King Whopper
Whopper
The Whopper sandwich is the signature hamburger product sold by the international fast-food restaurant chain Burger King and its Australian franchise Hungry Jacks. Introduced in 1957, it has undergone several reformulations including resizing and bread changes...
s" as their new team name. Guiao's long time deputy Roehl Nadurata and Johnny Tam were then hired by the team.
Baguio, Se, Cruz Traded to SMC Teams
Cyrus BaguioCyrus Baguio
Cyrus Baguio is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Alaska Aces. He is a former stalwart of the UST Growling Tigers during his college tenure with the team. The former UST star was known for his open court forays and one-on-one skills...
, reportedly unhappy in Burger King, was dealt to the Barangay Ginebra Kings along with bruiser Homer Se
Homer Se
Homer Se is a Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He was born on May 5, 1987 at Albay, Bicol, Philippines. He currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers.-Player Profile:...
for future picks while Celino Cruz
Celino Cruz
Celino Cruz is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Powerade Tigers. He was drafted by the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals nineteenth overall in 2002....
was shipped to the Purefoods TJ Giants for forward Aaron Aban
Aaron Aban
Aaron Abril G. Aban , better known as Aaron Aban, is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. Born in Cagayan de Oro City and went to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in college...
.
Arwind Santos to San Miguel Beermen
Burger King marquee player Arwind Santos was traded to San Miguel for Marc PingrisMarc Pingris
Jean Marc Pingris, Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball player in the PBA for the B-Meg Llamados. He is a versatile 6-foot-5 forward-center that can post up and shoot mid-range jumpshots. He is half-French and half-Filipino...
and Ken Bono
Ken Bono
Karl Kenneth O. Bono , better known as Ken Bono, is a Filipino basketball player, selected sixth overall by the Alaska Aces in the 2007 PBA Draft...
, and San Miguel's 2010 first round pick.Pingris was also an original member of the team being the third overall pick in the Draft. He played one season for the team before being shipped to Purefoods. He was then traded to San Miguel for Enrico Villanueva
Enrico Villanueva
Jose Enrico P. Villanueva , better known simply as Enrico Villanueva, and by the nicknames Raging Bull and E-Vill, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association...
.Bono, a one-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, first played for Alaska before he was traded to SMB. During the 2008-2009 PBA Season, Santos played a total of 44 games, averaging 16.18 points (6th overall), 7.75 rebounds (9th), 1.11 blocks (4th) shot 70.8% from the freethrow line and 40.4% from the field in 31.73 minutes (12th) per game.
Japeth traded to TNT, then released back to Gilas
After playing a single game for the Whoppers, Aguilar was traded from the Burger King Whoppers as he was forwarded to the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in exchange for four first round future picks (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) and undisclosed amount of money. The Tropang Texters in turn released him back to Smart Gilas.Wynne Arboleda incident
Another incident, this time involving its team captain and son-in-law of its team owner, put the Whoppers into the sports headlines once more. On October 16, 2009, during their game against Aguilar and Smart GilasSmart Gilas
Smart Gilas Pilipinas is a developmental Philippine national basketball team sponsored by Smart Communications and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
at the Araneta Coliseum
Araneta Coliseum
The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines...
, specifically halfway in the second quarter, Wynne Arboleda
Wynne Arboleda
Wynne Arboleda is a Filipino basketball player playing professionally for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association...
physically assaulted a paying spectator, Alain Katigbak, after the latter shouted profane words directed at him following his second flagrant foul against Gilas' Mac Baracael. As a result of the second flagrant foul, he was ejected from the court soon after.
Three days later, PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios
Sonny Barrios
Renauld N. Barrios, better known as Sonny Barrios, is the seventh commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association. Before serving as the commissioner, he became the officer in charge of the league on August 2007 when his predecessor Noli Eala resigned from his office after being disbarred by...
suspended him for the rest of the 2009-2010 season without pay effective immediately, on top of any possible court case Katigbak would file against him as a result of the assault. The suspension is said to be the league's heaviest sanction to date. In addition, he was fined PhP20,000 for the two flagrant 1 fouls he committed, and was blacklisted from attending PBA games during the period of his suspension.
Air21 Express (2010-present)
After finishing 7th in the Philippine Cup, team owner Lito Alvarez announced that the team will revert to the Air21 Express name. The team then acquired Doug KramerDoug Kramer
Douglas R. Kramer , better known as Doug Kramer, is a Filipino basketball player who will play for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-Player Profile:...
and Rich Alvarez
Rich Alvarez
Richard D. "Rich" Alvarez is a Filipino professional basketball player and currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association. Alvarez was the first overall pick of 2004 PBA Draft by the Shell Turbo Chargers...
from the Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
in exchange for Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy Rozal de Ocampo is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. At 6'9", he is a good outside shooter and a low post threat. He is also among the PBL's Top 20 Players of All-time...
and a future 2nd round draft pick. They also got the service of Mike Cortez
Mike Cortez
Mike Cortez is a professional basketball player for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association. Cortez gained prominence in the amateur ranks for the De La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP and the ICTSI Archers in the Philippine Basketball League...
from the San Miguel Beermen
San Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
in exchange for Alex Cabagnot
Alex Cabagnot
Alex Cabagnot is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters. He plays the point guard position. Alex once had a rivalry with Mark Caguioa for of the Eagle Rock High School scoring record.-About the player:He was drafted by the Sta...
. They then drafted Nonoy Baclao
Nonoy Baclao
Siverino A. Baclao, Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
, Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Rabeh Ahmed Al-Hussaini is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
, and Rey Guevarra
Rey Guevarra
Rey Francis Guevarra is Filipino basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters...
.
Blockbuster Trade
On March 2, 2011, the San Miguel BeermenSan Miguel Beermen
The Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
has finally closed a deal with the Air 21 Express with the approval of Commissioner Chito Salud. The Beermen shifted Paul Artadi
Paul Artadi
Paul Anthony Dy Artadi is a professional Filipino basketball player for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association....
, Danny Seigle
Danny Seigle
Daniel Charles Seigle is a Filipino American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barako Bull Energy. A 6'6", 205-lb. swingman, he is fondly called Dynamite Danny and Danny S. by many...
, Cebuano Hot Shot Dondon Hontiveros
Dondon Hontiveros
Donaldo "Dondon" Hontiveros is a Filipino professional basketball player actively playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association. He has a son named Isaiah with singer and fellow Cebu native Gail Blanco.A devout Christian, Hontiveros studied and honed his basketball...
and Dorian Pena
Dorian Peña
Dorian Alan Peña is a Filipino-American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association. Nicknamed the "Junkyard Dawg" for his consistent plays of putbacks and offensive rebounds...
to the Express in exchange for three draft rookie draft picks Nonoy Baclao
Nonoy Baclao
Siverino A. Baclao, Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
, Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Rabeh Ahmed Al-Hussaini is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
and Rey Guevarra
Rey Guevarra
Rey Francis Guevarra is Filipino basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters...
. The trade is the revised proposal of the Beermen which initially involved Joseph Yeo
Joseph Yeo
Joseph Henry L. Yeo , better known as Joseph Yeo, is a Filipino-Chinese professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Petron Blaze Boosters...
, Danny Seigle
Danny Seigle
Daniel Charles Seigle is a Filipino American professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barako Bull Energy. A 6'6", 205-lb. swingman, he is fondly called Dynamite Danny and Danny S. by many...
and Mick Pennisi
Mick Pennisi
Michael Alfio Pennisi , better known as Mick Pennisi, is a Filipino-Australian professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Barako Bull Energy. He was automatically hired by Red Bull in 2000...
in exchange for the said top rookie picks. It was not approved by Commissioner Chito Salud until the revised trade came in.
Barako Bull Energy (2011-present)
After the sale of the majority share of the Energy Food and Drinks, a subsidary of Photokina Marketing that exclusively distributed Red Bull Energy Drink to the Philippines to the Lina Group of Companies, the group announced that Air21 will be renamed to Barako Bull, fulfilling one of the provisions of the agreement between the Chua and Lina groups. In order to prevent conflict with the Petron Blaze Boosters, the team opted to drop the "Boosters" from their name and became known as just simply the Energy. The team then hired veteran coach Junel Baculi, who previously coached Barako Bull (now Shopinas.com ClickersShopinas.com Clickers
The Shopinas.com Clickers is a Philippine Basketball Association team that debuted on the 2011–12 PBA season.-Sale of the Barako Bull franchise:...
) before its dissolution. They then acquired free agent Jondan Salvador, then on the 2011 PBA Draft
2011 PBA Draft
The 2011 Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft is an event, which allows teams to draft players from the amateur ranks. The event will be held at Robinson's Place Ermita in Manila on August 28, 2011...
selected former Gilas reserve Dylan Ababou and PBA D - League MVP Allein Maliksi, who joined the main roster almost immediately. The team also became involved in a three way trade with sister team Shopinas.com Clickers
Shopinas.com Clickers
The Shopinas.com Clickers is a Philippine Basketball Association team that debuted on the 2011–12 PBA season.-Sale of the Barako Bull franchise:...
and B-Meg Llamados where Barako Bull acquired Don Allado and future second round picks from B - Meg, while losing Elmer Espiritu to Shopinas.
On November 16, the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
commissioner Chito Salud
Chito Salud
Angelico T. Salud, better known as Chito Salud is the eight and current commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the son of Rudy Salud, who was also a commissioner of the PBA from 1988 to 1992....
approved of a trade that sent Allein Maliksi and former Rookie of the Year Rico Maierhofer
Rico Maierhofer
Paul Rico Maierhofer is a Filipino-Austrian professional basketball player who will play for the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in 2009....
to Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
, Jimbo Aquino and 2013 1st round pick(GIN) to Barako Bull Energy, and 2002 PBA
PBA
PBA may refer to:*Lead-Acid Battery *Palm Beach Atlantic University*Partial-birth abortion or intact dilation and extraction*Patrolmen's Benevolent Association*PB Air's ICAO code*Philippine Basketball Association...
1st overall pick Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Yancy Rozal de Ocampo is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. At 6'9", he is a good outside shooter and a low post threat. He is also among the PBL's Top 20 Players of All-time...
+ 2012 2nd round pick(GIN) to B-Meg Llamados.
Season-by-season records
- Records from the 2010–11 PBA season:
*one-game playoffsConf. |Team name | Elimination round | Playoffs Finish |W |L |PCT |Stage |Results PHI 2010–11 PBA Philippine Cup-San Miguel vs. Air21:-B-Meg Derby Ace-Meralco series:-Barangay Ginebra-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-B-Meg Derby Ace series:-San Miguel-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:-Conference records:-Team:-Individual:-Conference:...
Air21 Express 7th/10 6 8 .429 Quarterfinals San Miguel San Miguel BeermenThe Petron Blaze Boosters is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association. The team has been a member of the league since its inception in 1975 and hold the most PBA titles with 19.The team is owned by the Petron Corporation, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest food...
** 95, Air21 75COM 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup-Air21-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-Air21 series:-Smart Gilas-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics...
4th/10 5 4 .556 Quarterfinals
SemifinalsAir21 2, Alaska Aces Alaska Aces (PBA)The Alaska Aces is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference as their latest...
1
Talk 'N Text 3, Air21 0GOV 2011 PBA Governors Cup- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics. Highlighted are the imports who stayed with their respective teams for the entire conference....
9th/9 0 8 .000 Did not qualify Total elimination round 11 20 1 semifinal appearance Total playoffs 2 5 .286 |0 Finals appearances Total 2010–11 13 25 .342 |0 championships Total franchise 173 225 .435 |0 championships
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage
PBA's 25th anniversary all-time team
- Jerry CodiñeraJerry CodiñeraJerry Codiñera is a retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is nicknamed the "Defense Minister" for his prowess at the defensive end. He is also a member of the 25 Best Players of all Time of PBA and Philippine men's national basketball team of the 1994...
- played for FedEx from 2002 to 2005 - Vergel MenesesVergel MenesesVergel Meneses - nicknamed "The Aerial Voyager" - is a retired Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a former PBA Most Valuable Player and a many-time member of the Philippine National team...
- played for FedEx from 2002 to 2004
Other notable players
- Gary DavidGary DavidGary David is a Filipino Professional basketball player currently playing for the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is widely perceived as one of the most prolific scorers in the PBA today....
- played for Air21/Burger King from 2005 to 2009. Air21 Express Franchise' All-Time Leading Scorer. - Bong Alvarez - played for FedEx in 2002.
- Dindo Pumaren (San Beda) - played his last PBA season with FedEx in 2002.
- Yancy de OcampoYancy de OcampoYancy Rozal de Ocampo is a Filipino professional basketball player who will play for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association. At 6'9", he is a good outside shooter and a low post threat. He is also among the PBL's Top 20 Players of All-time...
- played for FedEx/Air21 franchise from 2002 to 2004, 2005–2006; team's first-ever draft choice and had two stints with the team. - Ren-Ren RitualoRen-Ren RitualoFlorendo Ritualo, Jr. better known as Renren Ritualo is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Shopinas.com Clickers...
(La Salle) - played for FedEx/Air21 franchise from 2002 to 2006. - Marc PingrisMarc PingrisJean Marc Pingris, Jr. is a Filipino professional basketball player in the PBA for the B-Meg Llamados. He is a versatile 6-foot-5 forward-center that can post up and shoot mid-range jumpshots. He is half-French and half-Filipino...
- played for FedEx franchise from 2004 to 2005. - John FerriolsJohn FerriolsHubert John B. Ferriols , better known simply as John Ferriols, is a Filipino professional basketball player for the B-Meg Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association....
- played for FedEx franchise from 2004 to 2005. - Ronald TubidRonald TubidRonald Tubid is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Barangay Ginebra Kings...
- played for FedEx/Air21 franchise from 2005 to 2006. - Ranidel De OcampoRanidel de OcampoRanidel Rozal de Ocampo , better known as Ranidel de Ocampo, is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. de Ocampo currently plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters after he was traded by Air21 Express. He is the younger brother of Yancy de Ocampo...
- played for FedEx/Air21 franchise from 2004 to 2008. - Cyrus BaguioCyrus BaguioCyrus Baguio is a professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Alaska Aces. He is a former stalwart of the UST Growling Tigers during his college tenure with the team. The former UST star was known for his open court forays and one-on-one skills...
- played for Burger king Whoppers for 2009 - Arwind SantosArwind SantosArwind Santos is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters. He also played college hoops at Far Eastern University in the UAAP and the Magnolia Ice Cream Spinners in the Philippine Basketball League...
- played for Air21 Express/Burger king Whoppers from 2006 to 2009
Imports
- Steven Thomas - led Air21 to its first finals appearance in the 2007-2008 season since entering the league in 2002
- Shawn DanielsShawn DanielsShawn Daniels is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays in the National Basketball League of Canada for the London Lightning basketball team.-High school and college career:...
- led Air21 to a third-place finish in the 2005-06 Fiesta Conference - Alvin Jefferson - known for breaking the Araneta Coliseum backboard in a preseason game but played only two games in the 2004 Fiesta Conference
- Franz Pierre-Louis - played for FedEx in the 2002 Commissioners Cup
- Oliver "Pig" Miller - played for FedEx in the 2005 Fiesta Conference
- Roderick Rhodes - one of the first two imports in team history
- Geremy Robinson - played as a replacement import for one game
- Terrence Shannon - played for FedEx in the 2003 Reinforced Conference
- Jermaine Walker - played for FedEx in the 2002 season
Coaches
- Derrick PumarenDerrick PumarenFrederick S. Pumaren, better known as Derrick Pumaren, is a Filipino basketball coach.-Career:Derrick Pumaren was a member of the UE Red Warrior 1978 and 1979 Championship Teams, PBA Consultant, and a National Team Coach...
(2002–2003) - Bonnie Garcia (2003–2004)
- Joe LipaJoe LipaJose "Joe" Lipa, Jr. is a Filipino basketball coach. Lipa coached his alma mater, the University of the Philippines, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men's basketball. He has also had a head coaching stint for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and the Air21 Express of the...
(2004–2005) - Bong Ramos (2005)
- Bo PerasolBo PerasolDolreich "Bo" Perasol is a Filipino professional basketball head coach of the Powerade Tigers in the Philippine Basketball Association.-About:Perasol is a former player and team captain for the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP from the year 1990-1995...
(2005–2009) - Yeng GuiaoYeng GuiaoJoseller "Yeng" Guiao is a Filipino professional basketball head coach for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association, and was also the head coach of the Philippine National Basketball Team. Guiao won four PBA titles since starting his head coaching job for Swift in...
(2009–2011) - Bong Ramos (2011)
- Junel Baculi (2011-present)