Air21 acquires Magnolia's Gabby Espinas

Air21 acquired 6–foot–5 forward Gabby Espinas from the Magnolia Beverage Masters in exchange for the first–round draft pick of the Express next season, team manager Lito Alvarez said in a statement on Tuesday. Alvarez said that he decided to let go of one the team's three first–round picks next season – its own and the two others acquired from Coca–Cola and Ginebra. He said the Ginebra pick is the one being sent to the Magnolia Beverage Masters. "We can afford to release one of our first–round picks in favor of this young, talented player, whom I believe will blossom further with the Express," Alvarez said. Espinas made waves in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a rookie MVP for the champion team Philippine Christian University in 2004. He was the overall No. 5 draftee in 2006 by the San Miguel Beermen, now known as the Magnolia Beverage Masters. "We needed another big guy to complement Ranidel de Ocampo on defense," Alvarez said. "He is very athletic, I can't wait to see him play alongside KG Canaleta and Arwind Santos, show time na talaga 'yan. The possibilities with Espinas around are plenty." Espinas gets his baptism of fire in an Express uniform when Air21 plays Talk 'N' Text at 4:35 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome. In another development, Alvarez said that the door is still very much open for Robert Jaworski, who is being wooed by the Bert Lina–owned Air21 Express to be its coach. "I told him, anytime you feel you're ready, just tell me," Alvarez said. "This team is his." Alvarez also revealed that the former Ginebra playing–coach has sent feelers for them to resume talks. "The interest is there, otherwise, hindi na siya magsasabi pa na i–resume 'yung usapan," Alvarez said. - GMANews.TV