Import’s performance alarms Red Bull coach Guiao

MANILA, Philippines – Leading Best Import contender Adam Parada may be looking physically fit now, but deep inside, his coach believes there is something bothering the seven-foot Mexican. “We have lost the numbers that he gave us in the eliminations," said an obviously alarmed Red Bull mentor Yeng Guiao, “Siguro we have to talk to him, kung ano ang problema. (It’s about time we talk to him to know his problem.) We should get some serious conversation with him." That Guiao appears ready to press on the panic button is understandable. The player by which imports were being measured has suddenly went cold in the crucial semifinal phase of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup, where the Bulls found themselves staring at an 0-2 deficit against the Barangay Ginebra Kings in their best-of-seven semis series. In the 18-game eliminations that Parada played he helped steered the Photokina franchise to a league’s second-best 11-7 (win-loss) record registering 17 double-doubles, producing averages of 21.7 points, 15.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 blocks. And his average numbers after two games in the semifinals? Eleven points, nine rebounds, including a conference-worst six-point output in the series opener when he played with a pulled hamstring. “I’m still not happy with the way Adam is playing," said Guiao. “When you get to the playoffs, you should elevate your level of play. In his case, instead of elevating, it dipped. That’s a big effect on the team in general." Getting the numbers from Parada alone, however, isn’t entirely the key. A team considered with one of the best defenses in the league, the Bulls have also been having problems containing Ginebra’s high-scoring guards. And if they don’t figure out a plan to contain the Gin Kings’ backcourt, this series would be over in a hurry. “We have one day to find a way to stop their guards," said Guiao. “Yung high scoring nila from the start talagang problema namin. Tapos, talo pa kami sa import. (Their offense is really a problem. Then we are also losing in the import match-up)" He is of course referring to no less than Mark Caguioa and Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Ginebra’s 1-2 scoring punch who have already combined for 82 points in the series. Helterbrand has been the Gin Kings’ No. 1 scorer the past two games, pumping in 16 in Game 1’s 26-point win (108-82) before torching Red Bull with 19 third quarter points that repelled the Bulls’ ferocious stand before finishing with 27 for the game, certainly a sensational performance for a player who even did not score in the final period. – GMANews.TV