Red Bull taps new import to replace ‘Q’

Red Bull has decided to take in James Penny to replace Quemont Greer, hoping to get more contribution from its local players with the entry of the former Texas Christian University standout.

"Q is a tested scorer. He can light up the board but he hardly gets his teammates involved. The coaching staff thought Penny could do a better job," said Red Bull team manager Tony Chua.

Coach Yeng Guiao and his staff made the decision to send Greer home following their 102-109 loss to Barangay Ginebra in their playoff for an automatic seat in the semifinals last Wednesday.

Greer erupted for 37 points and 13 rebounds then, but no other Red Bull player scored in double figures except Lordy Tugade.

"Kumakayod mag-isa," said Chua of the former De Paul University ace player.

Until the arrival of new Ginebra import Chris Porter, Greer had led the league in scoring. He averaged 26.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 17 games.

Penny makes his debut with Red Bull in their best-of-five quarterfinals playoffs with the Alaska Aces or the Sta. Lucia Realtors starting Friday or Sunday.

The 6-foot-5 player, a driving force behind TCU making the NCAA’s March Madness in 1998, is fresh from a stint with the Niagara DareDevils in the ABA.

Penny is said to be a well-rounded player with his shot-blocking record the fourth highest at his alma mater. He was sixth in scoring in the USBL in 2004 with a 19.7 points per game average.

With the entry of Penny who’s more of a forward, the Red Bull coaching staff also decided to reactivate center Omanzie Rodriguez, relegating pointguard Warren Yvanez to the reserve list.

At Alaska, coach Tim Cone reactivated Banjo Calpito and put to the reserve pool Bernzon Franco. — Nelson Beltran