Wary Barakos bring in stand-by import

Concerned over Quemont Greer’s dip in form in his last few games, Red Bull has brought in a stand-by import in former Texas Christian University standout James Penny.

Determined to make an impact in the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup, the Red Bull management brought in Penny although the Barakos have earned a playoff crack at an outright semifinal entry due mainly to the exploits of Greer.

Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao said Greer is now under evaluation as the former De Paul star has become a concern for the team following his poor showing in the Barakos latest outings.

The team decided to bring in Penny after Greer, the league-leading scorer, struggled for only nine points in their 91-85 win over Air21 last Dec. 15. He went 1-of-10 from the stripe.

"We thought our game against Coca-Cola (Friday) would be his test. The way we see it, mukhang okay naman. But the coaching staff will still evaluate him in the next few days," said Guiao.

Actually, Greer had another so-so game then, scoring only 24 points as the Barakos narrowly beat an importless Coca-Cola side, 78-77.

Penny joined Greer and the Barakos as the team resumed their daily practice at the RFM Gym in Mandaluyong yesterday. The Barakos battle the Barangay Ginebra Kings in a playoff for the second outright semis seat on Jan. 4 at the Astrodome.

Penny played four years of college ball with TCU and was a driving force behind the team making the NCAA’s March Madness in 1998.

He’s a veteran of several teams in minor leagues in the United States, having starred for the Calgary Drillers, the Niagara Dare Devils and the Tijuana Diablos among others.

His Calgary and Tijuana coach Otis Hailey described Penny in an Internet report as "a very well rounded player."

Penny was sixth in the scoring ladder in the USBL in 2004 with a 19.7 points per game average.