Air21 Express get crack at hiring Douthit as import

MANILA, Philippines—Air21 now has a literally huge reason to feel excited about the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

With all the other teams already enlisting the services of their respective imports, the league’s board of governors Wednesday granted the Air21 Express (formerly Shopinas.com), the sole right to negotiate for the services of national team standout Marcus Douthit.

“The board, taking note that nine of the 10 teams have already contracted imports, has decided to step aside and allow Air21 to negotiate with and engage the services of Douthit,” commissioner Chito Salud said.

Salud added that if Douthit, who is currently in China, and the Express do not come to terms, no other team may sign the naturalized, 6-foot-10 center of the Philippine team.

Douthit, through an e-mail sent to the PBA, had said that he is very interested in playing in the Commissioner’s Cup to also stay in shape after his commitment in the Chinese professional league.

His China stint ends Feb. 18 at the earliest, and with the Commissioner’s Cup set to open on Feb. 10, Salud bared that the league is willing to schedule the Express’ first game way past the 18th.

As Shopinas.com in the Philippine Cup, the squad established a record in futility by not winning a single game in 14 elimination round games.

Powerade, which is battling the powerhouse Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in Game 3 of the Philippine Cup Finals at presstime, has hired NBA D-League veteran Dwayne Jones.

Jake Voskhul, a legitimate National Basketball Association veteran, will be strutting his stuff for Rain or Shine. Voskhul, who is now 32 years old, played nine seasons and a total of 450 games in the NBA.

Barangay Ginebra will be bringing back Chris Alexander, who led the Gin Kings to the Fiesta Conference crown in 2008 against Air21.

Denzel Bowles will be playing for B-Meg and this early, the Llamados’ 6-foot-10 find has been making heads turn. Dermarr Johnson suits up for Barako Bull, Jelani McCoy will be Meralco’s import, Nick Fazekas will play for Petron Blaze, Matt Saryas for Alaska and Omar Samhan for Talk ‘N Text.