BY NOLI CORTEZ
RED Bull coach Yeng Guiao is not one to dwell too much on a missed opportunity.
Still, he can’t help but wonder what could have been if it was his team and not
Purefoods that faced eventual champion Sta. Lucia Realty in the Philippine Cup
finals.
"Gusto namin silang masubukan. We missed playing the finals
with them," Guiao said as the Bulls geared up for their much-awaited clash with
the Realtors today in the Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
A win will enable Red Bull, currently tied for the lead with
Coca-Cola and Talk N Text at 5-2, to grab the solo lead, a cherished position
the Bulls have held via three straight wins before losing to Magnolia 95-102
last Saturday in Lipa City.
Among other things, Guiao is driven more by the urge to find
out what could have been. "It’s always a thrill to play and challenge the
champion," he said.
Besides, there’s this matter of pride.
"They claim to be the No. 1 defensive team, but we feel we
are the No. 1 defensive team. So there’s only one way to settle that," he said.
The Bulls are running third in points allowed with 92.57
while the Realtors are running fifth with 96.
Those figures prompted Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez to
point out which game aspect is his team’s priority.
"Again, our defense will be the barometer if we want to win
versus Red Bull," he noted.
