Air21 signs up all three draftees

The Air21 Express have come to terms with all of their three draftees — the latest with Niño Canaleta involving P7.2 million for three years–and the team is now in the process of dealing excess players to other teams.

The Air21 management and Canaleta agreed in principle yesterday to sign that package that guarantees the former UE forward a monthly pay of P150,000 this year, P200,000 the following year and P250,000 in 2007.

Top draft pick Anthony Washington and fifth pick Mark Cardona signed their contracts with the team yesterday. Washington got P8.5 million and Cardona P6.8 million both in three years.

However, Cardona is likely to end up with Talk n Text in exchange for veteran point guard Patrick Fran.

Air21 has waived its rights on Marlon Legaspi and Rensy Bajar, relegating the two players to the unrestricted free agent pool.

But despite the exit of these two former Shell players, Air21 is still in excess of two players. The management and the coaching staff are looking to unload players at wing spots.

"My recommendation to the management is that if ever we unload Anthony Washington, we get a legitimate center in return," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

But if he were to make the final decision, Perasol said he would keep Washington and instead deal to the other teams any of his wing players — Cardona, Gary David and Ronald Tubid.

At Purefoods, team manager Alvin Patrimonio has presented fourth pick Jondan Salvador two different contracts to choose from but the 6-foot-3 forward is still studying his options.

Ed Ponceja, Salvador’s agent-adviser, said one of the offers is a P3.9-million package for two years.

Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said they would definitely sign up Salvador. Gregorio said: "He’s very tough with a sound perimeter game and great work ethic. He would be another major piece in our rebuilding."

Second-round pick B.J. Manalo and rookie free agent Arwyn Espiritu are fighting out for slots in the team together with veteran free agent Rysal Castro.

At Barangay Ginebra, reserve guard Aris Dimaunahan got a one-year contract-extension deal worth P1.2 million.

Meanwhile, the RP-San Miguel team and Alaska Milk depart for Brunei today to compete in the fifth Shell Rimula X Brunei basketball tournament which also features the Indonesian national squad and club teams from China, Korea and Japan.

Veteran PBA import Artemus McClary arrives in the country tomorrow then quickly follows Alaska in Brunei to reinforce the Aces in the Shell invitational tourney.

If he makes good showing in Brunei, McClary is likely to stay on to be the Aces’ import in the PBA Reinforced Conference starting on Oct. 2.