Red Bull, Shell clash for share of lead with Coke

A share of the lead with opening-day winner Coca-Cola will be the main objective of Red Bull and Shell when the two teams, led by battle-tested imports, are featured in today’s PBA Governors Cup offering at the Philsports Arena.

The lone game set at 6 p.m. will mark the first time that the league has adopted a new single-game schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a regular doubleheader on Saturdays and Sundays. Out-of-town games will be held on Fridays.

During last Sunday’s elaborate opening of the league’s 28th season, Coca-Cola, formerly the RFM franchise and now under San Miguel Corp., defeated fellow-newcomer FedEx, 66-62, in a tight, exciting contest witnessed by a huge crowd.

Red Bull, proud winner of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup crown, will try to squeeze the best from returning 6-foot-7 import Julius Nwosu, the former Purefoods reinforcement who will be paired with the 6-foot-3 Joseph Bunn, fresh from a stint in the Dominican Republic pro league.

A lot of players will be missed in the Red Bull bench with Davonn Harp and Mick Pennisi suiting up for the national team’s candidates pool, Kerby Raymundo being traded to Purefoods for future draft picks, and Ato Agustin returning to the MBA as Pampanga’s playing-coach.

Expected to fill in the void for coach Yeng Guiao’s charges are new recruits Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon, Homer Se and Erwin Velez. Old hands to be relied upon are Junthy Valenzuela, Jimwell Torion and Willy Miller.

On the side of Shell, out to end a three-year title drought, will be the 6-foot-3 Ski Jones, whose hot shooting hands led Shell to a third-place finish in last year’s Governors Cup. His partner will be Derek Grimm, a 6-foot-9 NBA veteran who played for the Sacramento Kings in 1997.

Loaned by Shell to the national team were defense specialist Chris Jackson and rookie Chris Calaguio.