PBA: Familiar face awaits Guiao, Barakos in series opener

MANILA, Philippines – A familiar face awaits the Red Bull Barakos at the other side of the fence when Game 1 of their Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals series with Barangay Ginebra kicks off Sunday. And the guy who’s giving coach Yeng Guiao goose bumps is not Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand nor import Chris Alexander. “Napapakinabangan na nila (Ginebra) ng husto si Junthy," said Guiao of no-nonsense guard Junthy Valenzuela, his former workhorse with Red Bull. “Because of Junthy, lalong lumalabas yung talent nila Helterbrand and Caguioa," the Red Bull mentor noted. “He (Junthy) has made the back-court line-up of Ginebra even much stronger." Traded by the Photokina franchise to the Kings for a pair of draft picks early into the season-ending tournament, the 6-foot-2 former Salazar Institute of Technology stalwart initially struggled finding his rhythm playing under the system of Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. But once he settled down, Valenzuela became a regular fixture in the Kings’ starting unit. Proof that he has already blended well with the Kings was none more evident in the team’s quarterfinals series against Sta. Lucia. In Game 1 of the best-of-three affair, Valenzuela was the one that carried the ball club to victory after draining two three-point shots and pulled down a crucial offensive rebound in the end-game. Among the original six players Red Bull carried with them from the amateurs to the PBA, Valenzuela was a member of all three PBA championships won by the Bulls. – GMANews.TV