Big man Pennisi brings shooting touch to SMB 5

Big man Pennisi brings shooting touch to SMB 5
GMANews.TV
September 12, 2008

A new breed of Red Bull Barakos will open the 2008-'09 season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after the Photokina franchise finally let go of the only remaining link from its original core that entered the league eight years ago.

The Barakos unloaded Mick Pennisi and traded big-man shooter to San Miguel Beer in exchange for the Beermen's first-round draft pick in 2010.

The six-foot-11 Pennisi, an intimidating presence at the frontcourt with a great touch from the outside, was Red Bull's direct US-raised Filipino hire when it entered the pro league in 2000 following a successful stint in the amateurs.

With him in the original Red Bull roster were Lordy Tugade, Jimwell Torion, Davon Harp, Kerby Raymundo, Junthy Valenzuela and Bernard Tanpua, all of who were elevated by the franchise from its Philippine Basketball League ball club.

Tugade is with San Miguel, Raymundo with Purefoods and Valenzuela with Ginebra. Torion, Harp and Tanpua are already out of the league.

At San Miguel, Pennisi will be reunited with Tugade, his long-time Red Bull teammate.

"He's a great addition," said San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen of Pennisi. "His experience will be of great help."