NLEX eyes Abueva, other former players

Calvin Abueva. RODEL ROTONI

MANILA, Philippines — Hoping to rise quickly in the pro league, NLEX tries to assemble the core of the Air21 franchise along with its stars from the amateur ranks when it debuts in the 40th PBA season in October.

“We have to be very, very competitive in two years,” NLEX team representative Allan Gregorio said during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

“We’re a very proud franchise with six championships in seven conferences [in the PBA D-League]. We don’t want to go to the PBA to be beaten black and blue. NLEX doesn’t want to get weaker, but stronger.”

Asi Taulava, Mac Cardona, Aldrech Ramos and Enrico Villanueva lead the Air21 players NLEX plans to keep while trying to find ways to acquire some of those on their star-studded list of former players, which includes Calvin Abueva, RR Garcia, Chris Ellis and Cliff Hodge.

“Every member in the Air21 organization will still be considered, everybody will be evaluated,” said Gregorio. “The next order of battle is to find trades to get the former Road Warriors who have played for us in the D-League.”

The return of Air21 mentor Franz Pumaren, whose contract ends on Aug. 31, remains uncertain as several candidates are being considered, including NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez.

NLEX had planned to enter the PBA as an expansion team, but failed to get concessions like elevating some of its amateur stars.

So last month, it purchased the Air21 franchise instead with a listed amount of P100 million. NLEX plans to field another D-League team from one of the group of companies of tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.

“We have to figure out which team can replace NLEX,” said Gregorio, citing Indomie and Philex Mining. “But we still plan to field the core of San Beda.”