Floating on air - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

After Red Bull’s 92-78 win over Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors Cup at the Big Dome last Sunday, Thunder coach Joseller (Yeng) Guiao said he was paid "a super compliment" by Tim Cone. Cone, the winningest PBA coach in the ’90s, told Guiao, "you did a helluva job."

No doubt, Guiao shone brightly that night. He shuffled his players like a card shark on a hot streak. He had the game under control from the start and kept the Aces on the defensive until the final buzzer. Since Alaska isn’t known to take too many three-point shots (only 7-of-27 in seven games so far), Red Bull shored up its interior defense and left the Aces bleeding for points. Defense made the difference as Red Bull limited Alaska to 36 percent shooting from the floor and 78 points-18 below the Aces’ average in four wins this conference.

DaVonn Harp and Mick Pennisi stood out for their tough defense inside the paint. The stats proved it. Red Bull had 12 blocked shots-nine by the Fil-foreign duo. It’s no surprise that the Thunder leads the league in swats. "Coming from Tim, it was a super compliment," said Guiao. "Alaska’s a team I respect a lot. In the dugout after the game, I told the guys they deserve a lot of respect for beating Alaska. But I also reminded them to keep their feet on the ground. We might be floating on air right now but all it takes to bring us back down is to lose two straight in the quarters and everything we gained is lost."

Guiao said if it’s Red Bull’s destiny to go all the way this conference, the Thunder should claim it. "Who knows," he continued, "we might just be in the fight for the championship."

Is the team peaking too soon? "Peaking is not a problem," Guiao replied. "We never thought we’d be in this position in the first place. We like where we are. At this point, we’ve got to be strong mentally. We’re coming from a big win. I’m afraid that we might slacken our intensity in our next game. I hope not."

Guiao said chemistry is a factor that’s making it easier for the team to win. "The guys get along-they’ve all got a sense of humor," he went on. "Maybe, it’s good vibes. Off the court, tawa sila ng tawa, even if hindi sila nagkakaintindihan–kasi, some speak Bisaya, others Tagalog, then you’ve got Von, Mick, and Ray (Tutt)."

Guiao said veteran Artemus McClary was an option to play for Red Bull in the Governors Cup. "We know what McClary can do but we thought since he plays inside, he might crowd Von and Mick inside," explained Guiao. "When Ray was available to play in the Second Conference, we took the chance even if it was only for a game. We figured if he plays well, we could invite him back for the Third Conference."

As it turned out, Tutt shot 56 points in Red Bull’s last game of the Commissioner’s Cup, a 108-100 loss to Alaska. "King" Tutt had earned his invitation.

"Ray’s the perfect import," said Guiao. "He knows how to play the game. He knows how to win. He’s dependable. I’ve seen lots of talented imports in the past but Ray’s different. Some imports change their attitude after playing two or three good games–they start making demands. Not Ray. He respects his teammates and his teammates respect him."

In Sunday’s game, Tutt outscored Sean Chambers, 39-22, hit 6-of-6 from the line, shot 60 percent from two-point range, and knocked in 3-of-7 triples. Additionally, he grabbed eight rebounds and compiled four assists. You couldn’t ask anything more from an import.

Guiao said his staff has done a tremendous job, too. The team’s assistant physical therapist Jasmine Manansala is the only female who joins the huddles during timeouts in the PBA. "She complements our physical therapist Jojo (Fabor)–iba na yung may female touch," noted Guiao. "When the guys get sick or get hurt, she attends to them and takes care of them."

Then Guiao has his two trusted shaven-skulled assistants Roehl Nadurata and Rudy Hines who together provide a wealth of experience as backstoppers on the bench. Strength and conditioning coach Yaki Emnas, for his part, keeps the Thunder fit.

Finally, there is skills coach Kirk Collier of South Carolina State. Find out what Collier does for Red Bull in tomorrow’s column.