"No pressure on the boys. We'll just continue to prove our darkhorse stature. We're no whipping boys," said Barako Bull Head Coach Bong Ramos for its campaign in the Comissioner's Cup

The Barako Bull Energy wants to prove something in next conference's Comissioner's Cup.

They wanted to make people believe that they certainly belong in the league after rumors are swirling around the league that they are a "farm team" of San Miguel Corporation.

Barako Import

Barako Bull has tapped the service of James Dollard as their reinforcement.

Dollard hopes he could bring in the “extra punch” Barako Bull needs in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup set to kick off next Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Magaling gumalaw. May back to the basket. Deadly ang perimeter, may salaksak, malakas ang katawan sa ilalim. Tumi three points pa," said Barako Bull Energy assistant coach Jig Mendoza.

True to his promise, the 6-7 American wingman immediately impressed teammates with his near flawless free throw and outside shooting.

"Medyo maliit siya, pero malakas ang katawan. Willing makipagbanggaan kasi mahaba ang kamay at biyas. Pero siyempre, gusto din namin makita na siya sa tune-up at actual game," bared Barako Bull veteran guard Willie Miller.

"Pero hanga ako sa kanya kasi kinakain lahat ng bantay niyang malalaki," added the two-time MVP.

If there is one department that needs improvement for his import, head coach Bong Ramos says it is the former Auburn University stalwart's defense.

"It's one thing we want to work on, pero I think we still have time. We'll give him special training on that (defense)," said Ramos.

With Dollard, the Energy hope to improve on their surprise sixth place finish in the Philippine Cup.

"No pressure on the boys. We'll just continue to prove our darkhorse stature. We're no whipping boys," said Ramos.

The 6-7 Dollard planed in on Monday afternoon straight from Finland as a last-minute replacement for Dwayne Chism, who had a contractual foul-up with his former team in Hungary last weekend.

The former Auburn Tiger forward gave a good account of himself in his first tuneup game, firing 18 of his 30 points in the second half as Barako Bull's match against GlobalPort ended in a draw, 89-all, on Thursday.

The athletic and high-leaping Dollard missed his last shot, a tough drive against GlobalPort import Evan Brock’s defense to end the game in a deadlock.

“I have a good feel on who can do what. A lot of guys here (in Barako Bull) have the talent so I just give them the extra punch and do something good here,” Dollard told Spin.ph after the tuneup match.

The 28-year-old Dollard, who also had extensive basketball experience overseas, said he’ll simply have to plug the holes in the team has especially since the conference will have teams playing only nine games each in the eliminations.

“That’s pretty much the import’s job to do is, whether scoring, rebounding, making play for somebody else to score, stopping other team’s import from scoring and do everything to lead team to victory,” added the Hemingway, South Carolina native.

Dollard said he’s been good friends with Brock, a former Barako Bull import with whom he had a chance to play against during their college days as well as in their stint in the Dominican Republic.

“Yeah, I played against Evan at the Dominican Republic and I played against him also in college,” shared Dollard, who averaged 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals for Korihait in Finland this past season.

“Our colleges are the biggest rivals in college basketball. He (Brock) attended Alabama and I attended the Auburn Tigers, but we’re good friends because in basketball, it’s like a fraternity, you kind of get in touch with people there.”

A veteran internationalist who has had stints in Turkey, Czech Republic and recently in Finland, Dollard is said to be 'a complete package' who makes up for his lack of height with his brute strength.

Old Reliables

Barako Bull will have Denok Miranda as their primary point guard after a stellar performance last conference but Willie Miller will still be the leader.

Together the two will man the backcourt.

Ronjay Buenafe will be the primary reliever to Miller while Rob Labagala will back Miranda.

JC Intal will start at small forward while the import might suit up as small forward.

Mick Pennisi and Dorian Pena will again protect the shaded lane.

It's to early to say on what to expect on Barako Bull, but again expect another surprise after finishing 6th last season, which is ahead of what they thought would have placed.

--- with reports from Spin.ph

Barako Bull Energy roster

Players

Coaches

Pos.	#	Name	Height	Weight	DOB (YYYY–MM–DD)	From
G	2	Miranda, Dennis	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	1982-07-14	FEU
C	4	Peña, Dorian	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	1977-10-12	Coppin State
G	6	Lastimosa, Carlo (R)	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	182 lb (83 kg)	1990-09-03	CSB
G/F	7	Intal, JC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	1983-11-18	Ateneo
G	8	Buenafe, Ronjay	6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	1983-05-25	EAC
PG	9	Labagala, Robert	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	1984-07-05	UE
F/C	10	Marcelo, Dave	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	227 lb (103 kg)	1989-02-22	San Beda
G	11	Miller, Willie	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	1977-07-13	Letran
PF	12	Isip, Mark	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	1980-12-10	FEU
SF	14	Najorda, Leo	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)		SSC-R
PG	18	Fortuna, Jeric (R)	5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	1991-11-25	UST
F	28	Wilson, Willy	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	1980-01-30	DLSU
F	32	Jensen, Keith	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	1988-01-07	NYU
G/F	80	Macapagal, Mark	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	1979-09-20	SSC-R
C	88	Pennisi, Mick	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	1975-03-13	Eastern Michigan
SF	1	Deutchman, Jason	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	212 lb (96 kg)		San Diego