THE new-look Air21 Express, now carrying the banner of Burger King under national coach Yeng Guiao, kicks off the Motolite-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Cup against Sta. Lucia Realty in an out-of-town showdown in Dumaguete City on Feb. 28.

Guiao said import Shawn Daniels had his first practice with the Burger King squad Monday.

?He?s okay and we know what he can give us,? said Guiao, although Daniels still isn?t in game shape.

Guiao said the team was fine in the guard position, but was lacking in big guys with solid experience.

The Dumaguete City game will be the first of an eight-game provincial schedule slated in the season-ending tournament.

The league also opened last year?s Fiesta Cup outside of Metro Manila with Coca-Cola and Talk N Text playing in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

On March 7, the tournament shifts to Batangas City for the encounter between Purefoods and Rain or Shine. The Giants are expected to parade new acquisitions Don Allado and KG Canaleta against the young Elasto Painters, led by the rookie tandem of Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado.

Newly crowned Philippine Cup champions TNT Tropang Texters make their debut against the Burger King Titans on March 14.

The league?s next stop will be at Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on March 21, with Purefoods testing the mettle of Rain or Shine before Red Bull and Ginebra cap the out-of-town sorties on the month of March with a game in Davao on the 28th.

?We expect to get the same warm reception the PBA always receive from the fans whenever it brings its game to the provinces,? said league commissioner Sonny Barrios.

San Miguel plays its first provincial game on May 2 in Tacloban opposite Rain or Shine, while Coca-Cola gets its baptism of fire on the road by clashing with Talk N Text in Bohol on May 9.

Alaska takes its turn on May 16 in Legazpi City when it tangles with Ginebra. Ronnie Nathanielsz