PBA: Air21 signs up ex-Ateneo stars Intal, Kramer

Former Ateneo Blue Eagles JC Intal and Doug Kramer will be playing together again, this time at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). A statement released by Lito Alvarez, president and team manager of Air21, said the Express signed up the two former Ateneo stalwarts each with a multi-million, three-year deal. Intal, who was chosen fourth overall in the recent PBA Rookie Draft, was signed up by the Bert Lina-owned franchise to a deal close to P8 million. On the other hand, Kramer, who was picked after Intal, inked a P7-million pact. Alvarez said team officials were not expecting to get the 6'3" high-flying Intal and even Kramer, during the draft. The acquisition of the two, Alvarez said, was indeed a welcome development for the team. "Since we were no. 4 in the draft, we never expected the possible no. 2 draftee to be with us. But San Miguel Beer did not get him (Intal) and this worked to our advantage," Alvarez said during Wednesday's signing ceremonies at the Air21 Cargohaus in Paranaque City. Intal and Kramer were members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles that won the 2002 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seniors basketball crown. Last year, the Eagles placed runner-up to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. Intal said that Air21's style as a running team suits him just fine since he likes to run a lot. He added that playing alongside former FEU rival Arwind Santos and former UE Warrior KG Cañaleta is something to look forward to. "That's my game. I am excited to play a lot of games with Air21," Intal said. For his part, Kramer said he hopes that he won't play like a rookie when the season begins. He added that the experiences he gained at the UAAP and the PBL (Philippine Basketball League) would bring out his mature side. "I hope to play like a veteran in the PBA," he said. - GMANews.TV