BY NOLI CORTEZ
IT’S still too early to tell whether Adam Parada is really the best import in
the Smart PBA Fiesta Cup. Make no mistake about it, though, he is regarded as
such by Red Bull.
Take it from Bulls coach Yeng Guiao who said: "He’s not that
perfect, but he’s okay, and he’s got excellent basketball IQ."
The seven-footer from Mexico is the main reason why Red Bull
has gotten off to another rip-roaring start, a surge the team hopes to extend
when it takes on Talk N Text today at the Araneta Coliseum.
A win by the Bulls will be their third straight and will give
them a share of the lead with Coca-Cola.
With Parada as a big yardstick, the Photokina franchise is
expected to again prevail and reprise its startling start in the Philippine Cup
of either leading or tying for the lead despite the lack of certified stars.
Parada, the last import to be hired who was never really Red
Bull’s first option, has suddenly become a huge moving force after two
remarkable games, a player with a vast sense of team play and an irrepressible
attitude.
"Matalino, he’s a winner. I think that’s the attitude of
European players, unlike Americans who sometimes are more mechanical," said
Guiao.
Parada Mexico debuted with a 28-point, 21-rebound, 5-block
performance in the team’s win over Ginebra, and then followed it up with another
huge game of 28 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks against Air21.
"I don’t know if he’s the best import right now," said Guiao,
"but what I know is that he is the best import for us."
Today, he will take on Aaron McGhee, the first import to
arrive here who will try to steer the Phone Pals to back-to-back wins after a
lopsided 36-point (131-95) win over bottom-dweller Welcoat Friday last week.
While Guiao knows they are already comfortable with Parada
around, he still regards Talk N Text as difficult to defeat. The Phone Pals,
runner-up to Alaska in the same conference last season, have decidedly the
deeper bench.
"Mas malalim sila," said Guiao, adding they are fortunate
they are taking them on at this early stage.
"My reading of Talk N Text is they still are reading the
system of coach Chot (Reyes)," said Guiao. "It’s good playing them this early."
Reyes took over the coaching job of the Phone Pals after
Derek Pumaren was sacked, unable to guide his star-studded club past the
wildcard phase in the Philippine Cup.
But Reyes’ first game didn’t turn out well, too.
Against Coca-Cola in the tournament’s opening game in Panabo,
Davao del Norte, the Phone Pals lost 79-87.
A victory by the Bulls will give them a share of the lead
with the Tigers, who last Wednesday rallied from 18 points down to deal Welcoat
a third straight defeat in the tournament and the Dragons’ 14th consecutive
since the Philippine Cup.
Clashing in the other match are Magnolia and Alaska, with the
Beverage Masters trying to barge into the win-column after two a pair of bitter
setbacks.
Although having some sort of a new look with Mike Cortez and
promising Ken Bono around, Magnolia still hasn’t found the right touch. The
Beverage Masters lost their debut to Purefoods 108-109 and then absorbed an
86-88 defeat to Sta. Lucia.
Magnolia will have to deal with the Randy Holcomb-led Aces,
who in their previous outing looked every inch the defending champions in a
102-89 win over the Ginebra.
Ginebra might play all-Filipino when it tries to break into
the win-column against Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia tomorrow in an
out-of-town game in Tacloban City.
The Gin Kings are in the process of replacing import Rahshon
Turner, who suffered a hamstring injury in their 89-102 loss to the Alaska Aces
last Sunday.
