Ramos, Gregorio take over Alvarez’s dual roles with Express

Yohann Ramos, president of some of the companies under the Lina Group, and Allan Gregorio, member of the coaching staff of the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, were tapped to replace Lito Alvarez’s dual functions with the Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association. An unimpeachable source told GMANews.TV that Ramos, president of Mail and More and the Lina Group’s traveling agency -- Lina Group's Travel and Tours – will be the Express’ new board governor. Gregorio, whose family is very much involved in the local basketball circuit, will be the new team manager. His two brothers also hold key positions in the PBA. Ryan is the head coach of the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados (formerly Purefoods) while Patrick or “Pato" is the alternate board governor of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, and also the chairman of Smart Sports.

But Allan is no stranger to basketball. He was a former corporate executive of Air21 while also working as assistant coach on its basketball team. Heeventually became head coach of the company’s farm team in the Philippine Basketball League – Burger King. Presently, Allan is a member of the Smart-Gilas national developmental pool coaching staff. Ramos and Gregorio will be tasked to take over the team’s affair ably handled by Alvarez for the past nine seasons. Alvarez will assume higher post in the government – as commissioner of the Bureau of Customs. The 52-year-old Alvarez, who worked as the Chief Operating Officer of Air21 the past 20 years, was sworn in at 10 a.m. Tuesday by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima at his Department of Finance office. At the same time, Alvarez, who served as senior auditor of Sycip,Gorres, Velayo & Co. , has relinquished his post as chairman of the PBA. B-Meg Derby Ace board governor Rene Pardo has taken over his post as chairman of the board. Alvarez will assume official functions during formal turnover rites at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bureau of Customs, with Purisima and outgoing Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales present. He will take his oath of office with President Noynoy Aquino at 2 p.m. Thursday in Malacañang. His first marching orders, Alvarez said, are to “meet revenue goals, work in close coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to prevent tax leakages, and identify smugglers." PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios was elated when told of Alvarez’s appointment. “I am pleased and proud to hear the news," said Barrios. “My exposure to him and his work ethic in the PBA gives me confidence that he has the necessary tools to do well in his job, so he can significantly contribute to nation building." Pardo shares Barrios' views. "He is highly qualified and will be an asset to the BoC because Lito is a good manager and he has proven that with the Air21 team," Pardo said. - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV