Tanduay Rhum met its bitter amateur rival Red Bull for the first time on another turf and promptly gave it the full weight of its might.
In their first meeting as professionals, the Rhum Masters zapped all the energy out of the Energizers with an unforgiving pressing defense and an impressive run-and-gun offense, stretching to five games their hot opening streak in the Alaxan-PBA All-Filipino Cup with a 106-88 rout last night at the PhilSports Arena.
Not even the arrival of Fil-Italian Nick Pennisi on the Red Bull team could stop Tanduay from making a great show what with Eric Menk and Sonny Alvarado doing most of the tricks on both ends of the court.
Menk and Alvarado dished out double-double performances as the Rhum Masters sustained the momentum of their strong start in the season-opening tourney to match their 5-0 opening romp in the Commissioner's Cup last year.
The Rhum Masters' 1-2 punch combined for 67 points and 25 rebounds as they dealt the severe blows on the Energizers, who suffered their third loss in four starts in the league.
"This may already be a different story because this is now the PBA, not the PBL," said Tanduay coach Alfrancis Chua. "Pero iyung competition nandoon pa rin at ang mga players ko gigil pa rin silang talunin."
The Rhum Masters dominated the contest, leading by as many as 29 points in one stretch.
Tanduay got away with the lopsided victory though Red Bull strengthened its frontcourt with the entry of the 6-foot-9 Pennisi. -