Bulls kick off season with Guam romp

GUAM — Red Bull came out smoking and had relative ease in disposing of Alaska Milk in this tiny US territory for a 99-93 victory Thursday in the first-ever overseas game that ushered in a PBA season.

The Bulls practically took the University of Guam Fieldhouse by storm, enabling skipper Topex Robinson to take the spotlight away from the Aces in the end.

Alaska has a good number of followers in Guam since the Aces have had several triumphant sojourns here in the 90s. Robinson, meanwhile, spent his younger years where his US serviceman father was based and still commanded a following.

"I’m glad to be back and I’m glad we won in my return here," said Robinson, a regular fixture in Filipino basketball tourneys in Guam in the mid-90s. He was given a warm applause when introduced to the crowd before the tip-off.

Then Robinson and the Bulls fashioned out a grand debut in the Talk n Text-sponsored All-Filipino tourney where they placed second behind the Purefoods Chunkee Giants the last time around.

The Bulls displayed boundless energy, putting up a pressing defense almost throughout to rattle the Aces, who set out the slight picks after emerging the pre-season series champs.

"You will really need some time to hit your stride playing the first game of the season. What more in a first game of the season abroad," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.

Yielding the lead thrice in the early goings, Red Bull seized command, 25-18, by the end of the first quarter, sat on a 53-33 cushion at the turn and enjoyed its biggest advantage at 77-53 with 2:12 left in the third quarter.

Lordy Tugade tossed in a game-high 24 points and Mick Pennisi added 22 for the Bulls, who broke away in the second quarter after a rather poor start.

The final count didn’t reflect the true complexion of the game, though, with the Bulls slowing it down in the last few minutes, allowing the Aces to trim the gap which stood at 80-61 at the start of the last period.

Curiously, the Aces had their supporters cheering them on up to the finish.

Former Red Bull player Willie Miller fired 23 points coming off the bench to pace the Aces who also drew double-digit outputs from Tony dela Cruz with 22, Jeffrey Cariaso with 13 and Nic Belasco 10.

Against the Bulls, the Aces showed none of the form that enabled them to complete a five-game sweep of the league’s pre-season series. From the way they looked, the Aces were physically present but mentally absent especially on defense.

"Nabagyo tayo sa Pilipinas. Ang Alaska nabagyo dito," a local observer said.