Barako Bull tests Douthit-led Air21's mettle

UPDATE: Air21 def. Barako, 97-88


Can Marcus Douthit deliver what Air21 failed to acquire last conference? Head coach Franz Pumaren hopes so.

Douthit today begins the task of trying to steer the Express to a first-ever season victory, wishing that his familiarity with how things are done in the PBA would wind up as a huge factor as Air21 makes its debut in the Commissioner’s Cup against Barako Bull Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.


“We’re hoping that Marcus can adjust right away with our locals,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

The 6-foot-11 naturalized player who backstopped Smart-Gilas’ campaign in the FIBA-Asia wars last year arrived only Thursday morning after a 29-game stint in China, and his mission now is to lead the Express to a victory the franchise never tasted in the Philippine Cup, when it was still known as Shopinas.com.

Air21 went winless in the 14-game elimination round of the season-opening conference. The Express were the first to be booted out for the playoffs, and their losing streak ended up as a PBA all-time worst.

Douthit hopes he could carry Air21’s fortunes around. He’s definitely in game shape, having played for team Foshan in China where he averaged in double-double of 19.8 points and 10.7 rebounds.

Air21 is expected to be more competitive this conference. For its first-round pick in the 2012-13 season, it acquired Mark Isip and Nelbert Omolon from Meralco, adding a man who can play the post and someone who could deliver from the long court.

The Express will confront a team that is coming off a bitter defeat.

The Energy dropped an 88-86 decision to league-leading B-Meg last Feb. 15, failing to send the game into overtime after two-time MVP Willie Miller missed on a point-blank bankshot.

Air21 is the only team that has yet to see action, and Barako Bull is expected to pounce on a team that’s perceived to be lacking in chemistry.

Man-for-man, it looks like the Express do not stand a chance. But the gap in age between the two teams could be a critical factor as Air21 is expected to use its youth to wear down the Energy’s energy.

Barako Bull actually kicked off its campaign in the tournament in resounding fashion, a 98-78 triumph over the Alaska Aces in a game where Miller scored 25 points.

But Miller wasn’t as hot when Barako Bull took on B-Meg. The two-time MVP only finished with nine points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field.

Douthit will be pitted against DerMarr Johnson, the NBA veteran who was picked sixth overall in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA in 2000. (ZM)

source: www.pba.ph