Winning a work in process

Though they’re on the verge of the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals, coach Yeng Guiao said their mind isn’t yet on it, stressing his young team is still in the growing-up stage.

Guiao said they’re not thinking about the quarterfinals or being a contender for the finals this early, stressing they still consider their games as part of a learning process.

For Guiao,winning is a bonus. But what a bonus the Thunder are getting this early in their pro campaign.

The only team with an unbeaten slate 11 playdates into the season-ending conference, Red Bull goes up against Mobiline today with a shot at a first-ever stint in the quarterfinals.

Gametime is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, preceding the 5:15 p.m. opening game between Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra.

"We ourselves are surprised we’re ahead of everybody. Ako nga feeling ko nanaginip lang ako. But we’re not yet really thinking of the quarters and we’re still going out there for the experience," said Guiao.

"And I’m happy we’re getting different kinds of ballgame. We won our first two games by foiling endgame rallies by our rivals and we won the last time out by coming back from a huge deficit," he added.

Red Bull nearly squandered big leads before salvaging victories over Tanduay and Pop Cola. And the Thunder experienced their very first come-from-behind victory in the league in a 91-86 drubbing of the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Friday.

Versus Mobiline which is also on a streak with back-to-back wins over San Miguel andPop Cola, Red Bull could well hold its ground too with the team likely to exploit its advantage on frontcourt matchups.

Davonn Harp and Mick Pennisi could be tough nuts to crack for Jerry Codinera and Don Camaso while Ray Tutt could well match up with Todd Bernard.