MANILA, 7 October 2006 — Bullish.
Red Bull, a side that did very little tinkering in the off-season, brought down a second powerhouse foe last night to zoom to the early lead in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum. Enrico Villanueva hit 9-of-15 shots for 21 points to lead the Bulls to an 84-79 decision of San Miguel in an early collision of rock-solid teams which coach Yeng Guiao said favored them considering the circumstances.
“Usually, you would like to play the strong teams later in the tournament, when you are peaking,” Guiao said. “But I think this game was an exception, because it was obvious that San Miguel was doing a little experimenting.”
Under a new coach in Chot Reyes, the Beermen displayed a completely different form.
From the deliberate and calculating team before, the Beermen brandished a running game and paid dearly for it, as Red Bull found itself in its comfort zone and was in fine form at the crunch. “Experience won it for us in the endgame,” Guiao said. “San Miguel is still in its adjustment period with coach Chot making some experiments, and I think we played them just at the right time.
“Because once the new game becomes second nature for them (Beermen), they will be a truly tough team to beat.” The win was the second straight for the Bulls, runners-up to defending champion Purefoods two months ago, counting their 99-93 conquest of pre-season champion Alaska in Guam last Thursday.
Chris Calaguio led the Beermen with 15 points, while Olsen Racela scattered 13. Danny Seigle was the last player in double digits for Reyes with 10, while Dondon Hontiveros struggled all night and finished with just two points.
Incidentally, Red Bull pounded out the win even with Villanueva the only one shooting in twin digits.
Kelly Williams showed the stuff he’s made off right in his first game, and Alex Cabagnot did a little bit more of everything to show that he deserves his slot in the Sta. Lucia roster.
The Realtors got the goods from their young turks earlier, winning their tournament debut for the first time in six conferences after a 96-88 decision of the Air21 Express.
Williams was an electrifying aerial show and Cabagnot was effective at the point and the two American-born and raised stars starred in an impressive first game for a team that has not had much luck in the past despite a high-salaried line-up. Nelbert Omolon, a high-flying forward from the south, turned in 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead a surprisingly balanced Sta. Lucia offensive. Cabagnot and rookie Mark Isip chipped in 15 points apiece like veteran big man Dennis Espino.
Williams, picked first overall in the rookie draft and the reason why Sta. Lucia is tipped to go a long way here, scattered 11 points and plucked down 14 rebounds.
He did provide the highlight of the game, after slamming the ball in the face of reigning slam dunk champ Nino Canaleta off an alley-oop pass by Cabagnot that erased a one-point Air21 lead in the second quarter.
Cabagnot, who was almost banned from the league for not showing up at the start of pre-season practice and playing in a semi-pro league in the States, scored eight of his total in the final period.
