Thunder ‘under the weather,’ take on SMBeermen today

Red Bull has been literally reeling from the impact of the recent typhoon as one of its mainstays had been under the weather and its coach shuttling back and forth to be with his team as well as constituents who were victims of the calamity up north.

And this may cause a problem as Red Bull plays San Miguel Beer in a rematch of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup title playoff today. Gametime is at 7 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome with the title-holder Thunder hoping to bounce back from a sorry loss the last time out while the Beermen out to stretch a two-game romp.

Somehow, the Thunder can claim they’re victims of the inclement weather with key player Davonn Harp running a fever due to flu.

Then there’s coach Yeng Guiao whose mindset could be divided by his desire to help his constitutuents in Pampanga and call the shots for the Thunder.

Guiao, a member of the Pampanga provincial board, drove home under driving rains right after their defeat at the hands of the Shell Turbochargers Saturday. He inspected flooded areas in his district Sunday then joined the board as it declared a state of calamity in the province Monday.

But PBA games must go on and Guiao is back in Manila as the Thunder play the Beermen in what is expected to be a grudge match today.

Yesterday, Harp was still nursing a high fever but the Fil-Am forward promised to suit up today.

"Kahit nga may trangkaso sumipot pa sa practice kanina (yesterday morning). Pero hindi ko na pinagensayo. Sabi niya kahit may sakit pa siya bukas, pipilitin niyang lumaro," said Guiao.

Harp could be anticipating a tough test against San Miguel – a team which improved a lot following the entry of imports Art Long and Shea Seals vice Damon Jay Flint and Jermaine Antoine Tate.

The Beermen have a perfect 2-0 win-loss card with Long and Seals in tow. Long and Seals complemented each other well in leading San Miguel to big wins over Coca-Cola and Purefoods. The Beermen lost their first two games to the Alaska Aces and the Nationals.

Red Bull, on the other hand, got off to a strong start, sweeping its first three games before bowing to Shell Saturday.

Meanwhile, Shell is reportedly bringing in George Banks to take over Cedric Webber who is going home to try his luck in an NBA camp. Webber promised to return if he fails to get the NBA job.