When National Team head coach Chot Reyes announced the 12 PBA players who will join the Gilas Pilipinas pool, it appeared that he wanted a team that is youthful yet imposing. Two players who best exemplify these traits are 25-year-old Bradwyn Guinto, who stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 220 pounds, and 27-year-old Raymond Almazan, who is 6-foot-9 and 194 pounds.
No one was happier when the two were named to the pool than Almazan’s former coach and Guinto’s current mentor, Yeng Guiao.
“I’m very happy for them,” said the NLEX head coach.
After honing Almazan during his first three years in the league, Guiao, who had steered the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to two championships, believes that this is the fruition of the hard work Almazan put in the gym.
“Raymond worked hard for that position. I’m proud in the sense that I may had something to do with Raymond in the way he has improved his game. I’m happy for him. I’m sure when he participates in the Gilas program, he will be better,” the 57-year-old mentor shared.
“Sabi ko nga, parang kay Beau [Belga] din yan. It’s really hard work because you have to practice twice, you have to travel a lot kung mapili man siya, but it’s worth it, that experience where you can’t find anywhere else.”
For Guinto, Guiao stresses that the former San Sebastian Golden Stag should mature fast as he is being groomed to be one of the main options for the Road Warriors.
“The same way for Bradwyn. I think he’s starting to realize na may weakness pa yung game niya that he has to improve on and being part of the Gilas program will help him improve on those aspects of his game. Dito sa amin kasi, minomold na siya to that role,” the two-time Coach of the Year said.
“After Asi [Taulava] and Enrico [Villanueva], he’s our next main man we have on the post. He has to understand that and transition to that role already.”
But even if the two are still far from hitting their prime years, the seven-time champion coach believes that both Almazan and Guinto bring a lot of positives to Gilas Pilipinas.
“Unang-una, defense. They’re tough defenders at the post,” he said.
“Si Bradwyn needs to improve his offense but Raymond, with his role in Rain or Shine and his role with Letran before, di siya uncomfortable looking for his shots,” Guiao remarked Almazan, who is averaging 13.0 points and 11.6 rebounds in five games this conference.
“Si Bradwyn, kung minsan nagaalangan pa kahit libre na. But Raymond already knows that and has confidence with his shots. We have to put a little more confidence on the shots of Bradwyn,” he added about Guinto, who posted norms of 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds during the Philippine Cup.
And with one of the most decorated mentors in the game today stamping his seal of approval, the future of the Gilas frontline is in good hands with Almazan and Guinto.
