Bulls relish underdog tag

By Reuel Vidal
Manila Standard
October 7, 2007

Looks like everybody is underestimating Red Bull all over again.

All the experts are almost one in picking Talk N Text, San Miguel Beer or Alaska as the teams to beat this coming Philippine Cup. Nobody has given Red Bull a second look.

But being underdog is just fine with coach Yeng Guiao.

“Okay lang sa akin ’yon,” said Guiao. “Mas masaya. Mas madali para sa team at sa mga players. ’Pag hindi masyado mataas ang expectations, mas relax maglaro ang mga bata.”

A big reason for the experts’ poor opinion of Red Bull is the loss of Rico Villanueva and Larry Fonacier. Never mind if even before Villanueva was shipped to San Miguel Beer, alternate Carlo Sharma was already performing better in PBA games anyway. And Fonacier was never the premier wing player in the team. Cyrus Baguio was always the man they went to when they needed to put points on the board.

Plus, Guiao’s system has never focused on any one player. The fiery mentor has always been known to extract the best from lightly regarded players, who eventually become stars.

Based on experience in past years that the franchise has been with the PBA, even without Fonacier and Villanueva, Red Bull will be a team to contend with.

Up front there are Sharma, Mick Pennisi, Leo Najorda and Mike Hrabak. Their wingmen are Baguio, Junthy Valenzuela, Magnum Membrere and rookie Jojo Duncil. And manning the point are Celino Cruz and Topex Robinson.

Guiao is also very upbeat of the coming rule changes particularly hand-checking and the mindset of referees in officiating the games.

According to Guiao, the rule changes were thoroughly discussed with the coaches. More importantly, PBA officials actually asked for a group consensus before implementing any changes in the rules.

“Napag-usapan muna ang rule changes with the teams and the coaches,” said Guiao. “Very important ito para hindi na lang nagugulat ang teams. Last conference, pagdating ng semifinals biglang iba ang tawagan. Hindi naman tama ’yon.”

Guiao did not say it out loud but the sudden change in officiating philosophy was a big hurdle that Red Bull could not adjust to in time, which is why they were eliminated in the semifinals and did not go on to the Finals to defend their Fiesta Cup crown.

“Noong nakaraang conference, sobra ang dami ng touch fouls called,” said Guiao. “Maraming instances na no-bearing sa laro ang contact pero tinatawagan pa rin ng referees. Sobrang daming fouls and free throws na talagang prejudicial sa flow ng game.”

With the new officiating philosophy and a team freed from pressure brought on by high expectations, coach Guiao and Red Bull seem poised to shock experts this coming Philippine Cup.