Barakos high on Hightower?

Will Corey Hightower, the fifth import to don the Red Bull jersey this conference, stay longer than the previous ones?

This question will be answered in part when Red Bull, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion, squares off with unpredictable Shell in today’s curtain-raiser of the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Makati Coliseum.

Hightower came in to replace De Angelo Collins as Red Bull survived Talk N Text last Sunday, 106-104, at the Araneta Coliseum. He only scored a dozen points but did a good job in the other departments to get the nod of the coaching staff.

"I believe he could be the import that we want because he gives our big men space to operate," said head coach Yeng Guiao who knows a good import when he sees one.

Guiao, however, must be hoping that the 2000 NBA draft pick of the San Antonio Spurs, who was eventually traded to the LA Lakers, could do even better after a couple more practice sessions with the team since he came in.

Red Bull has won its last two games, and a third straight will give the team a share of second place with Alaska Milk and Coca-Cola at 7-4.

Shell, on the other hand, has split its last four games for a 4-7 record in a tie with Sta. Lucia Realty and Ginebra. Jameel Watkins, the Shell import, will be hard-pressed against the new Red Bull reinforcement.

The other game, set at 6:30 p.m., pits FedEx against Talk N Text with neither team enjoying a good run in this conference ushering in the league’s 30th season.