Meneses fits bill as Red Bull’s go-to guy

The main concern of coach Yeng Guiao when Red Bull acquired Vergel Meneses was his big-man rotation.

Giving up scrappy Homer Se to FedEx would mean that Guiao would have only one legitimate frontline player (in maturing Rico Villanueva) who will give relief to possible starters Davonn Harp and Mick Pennisi..

Among the three, they would have to divide the 12 minutes Se was averaging apart from picking up on Se’s boundless energy on both ends of the floor.

"The toughest thing [about the deal] was to keep Homer in the team," Guiao admitted. "Getting Vergel was a no-brainer. Dumating sa punto na maraming packages na in-offer kami pero si Homer lang talaga ang gusto ng (FedEx)."

But Guiao wouldn’t gamble if he didn’t know what’s better.

In terms of numbers, Meneses brings in a FedEx-best 15.3 points which means added offensive firepower from all spots on the floor (on the break, mid-range, long-distance, dribble penetrations, name it). Despite his age, the 33-year-old Meneses logged a team-high 31 minutes among the locals, a tribute to the former MVP’s conditioning regimen.

Meneses’s 2.7 assists is only third-best at FedEx but with a supporting cast of veterans at Red Bull, Meneses’s playmaking skills will come to the fore.

In terms of intangibles, Guiao won’t ask for more. Meneses provides Red Bull championship-savvy leadership and a legitimate go-to guy in the clutch. With his close ties with Guiao, Meneses’s former coach at Swift, and his versatility in playing three positions, the 6-2 swingman is expected to mesh with his new team easily.

But what pleased Guiao more than anything else was the 13-year veteran’s vocal commitment to winning.

"Kinausap namin si Vergel kung talagang desidido siya," Guiao said. "And he showed his sincerity by taking a pay cut. A big pay cut."

Meneses, whose contract is set to expire December, wanted a deal longer than what was initially offered him but instead settled for one that had him in a Red Bull uniform for just 1 1/2 year.

Prior to seeing the deal materialize, Guiao revealed that once Meneses started practicing with Red Bull, he would seek a player who can fill the No.4 void left by Se.

So far there are no talks of any follow-up trades to the Meneses deal.

Guiao said he may have to field seldom-used Oliver Agapito until somebody similar to Se suddenly becomes available.