Ramos said yesterday he’s looking forward to the Commissioner’s Cup which begins Feb. 18. A few lineup tweaks here and there welcomed his arrival with the switch from one J. R. to another Jay-R the biggest change.

Jay-R Reyes joined the Express in the recent multi-player trade involving Rain Or Shine, Meralco and Air21. Then, in a separate transaction, Air21 dealt J. R. Quinahan to Powerade for a 2013 first round pick and a 2012 second round choice.

Ramos said the Express is still looking for a pure shooter who can slash. A decision will be made any day now as to whom to pursue. Among the top candidates are Patrick Cabahug, Ramsey Williams and veteran Leo Avenido. Ramos’ Filipino imports with the Barracudas were Williams, Bryan Faundo and Chester Tolomia.

“We’re looking at Cabahug or Avenido,” said Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio. “Avenido was named the best Asean import in the ABL and seems ready for a PBA comeback. Rudy Lingganay also played very well for Kuala Lumpur but he’s more of a point guard and we’re solid in that position (with Wynne Arboleda, Josh Urbiztondo and Marcy Arellano). I’m sure a lot of PBA teams are keeping a close watch on Lingganay.”

Air21’s import JaJuan Smith of the University of Tennessee is arriving tomorrow. A backup in case Smith doesn’t work out is Alpha Bangura of St. John’s University.

“Smith plays two and three, exactly the position where we want to shore up,” said Gregorio. “He’s about 6-2. Alpha is finishing up his contract in Beirut and we’ll talk to him when he’s free. But our first choice is Smith.”

Gregorio said the day he left with Smart Gilas to join coach Rajko Toroman’s staff for the international invitationals in Dubai a few weeks ago, a call came from Air21’s PBA governor Johann Ramos.

“I think my two brothers (Patrick and Ryan) were conspiring to make a trade and took advantage of my absence,” laughed Gregorio. “But in the end, it was a win-win-win situation. As they say, everybody happy. We got what we wanted. Meralco got what it wanted and Rain Or Shine got what it wanted.”

Gregorio said Air21 is deep at point guard and the 4-5 spots. The Express brought in Reyes to join Rabeh Al-Hussani, Noy Baclao and Carlo Sharma in the frontline while Reed Juntilla came aboard to take over from Ronjay Buenafe who went to the Elasto Painters.

Others in the Air21 cast are Rey Guevarra, Arboleda, Urbiztondo, Arellano, Wesley Gonzales, Leo Najorda and Lou Gatumbato. Gone from last conference are Quinahan, Ronnie Matias, Erick Rodriguez and Buenafe.

Ramos said his reunion with Arboleda and Gonzales is a positive development. “We were together before,” said Ramos. “I’m excited to be back in the PBA.”

Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star