Slumping Bulls enlist Kings' Holper

Red Bull beefed up its frontline yesterday with the acquisition of Fil-Am forward Mike Holper in a trade with Barangay Ginebra in a move the Photokina franchise hoped could help check its slide in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

The Bulls made the deal on the heels of a five-game slump sending the team all the way to the cellar in the all-Filipino tourney.

Holper, a San Diego State product and seventh pick in the 2005 PBA draft, became expendable at Ginebra on Rafi Reavis’ return from injury. Reavis suits up with the Kings as they take on the Coca-Cola Tigers tomorrow at the Olivares Center Gym in Parañaque.

The Bulls picked Holper from the Kings in exchange for an extra 2011 draft right Red Bull acquired in a separate trade with San Miguel involving Mick Pennisi.

Mike Hrabak, Carlo Sharma, Gabby Espinas and rookie Larry Rodriguez were left to man the Red Bull frontline on the departure of Pennisi, Paolo Bugia and Mark Andaya.

Meanwhile, the PBA Commissioner’s Office suspended Paolo Mendoza of Sta. Lucia for one game and fined P20,000 for his back-to-back flagrant fouls in their games against San Miguel and Ginebra.

Over at the Araneta Coliseum, San Miguel Beer and Air21 meet in a grudge match today, pending the final resolution of their controversial duel last Nov. 5.

The Beermen-Express match is set at 5 p.m. to be followed by the 7:30 p.m. game between Talk n Text and Sta. Lucia Realty.

The Realtors have split their last two games with Joseph Yeo erupting for a career high 38 points in their 100-95 upset of the Beermen last Wednesday.