There’s no doubt in Yeng Guiao’s mind that he’d stay as head coach of NLEX.
It’s just that the position offered come renewal time was far from his profession.
The PBA champion mentor bared that he was presented by the Road Warriors a corporate position but ultimately declined, the reason behind his departure from the ball club after six years as its chief shot-caller and general manager.
“Actually, gusto ko pa mag-coach dito. Mahal ko ‘tong team na ‘to,” Guiao told Radyo5’s Power and Play, Saturday. “Kaya lang, hindi coaching job ‘yung in-offer nila. If they offered me a coaching job, I would still be here, actually.”
The 63-year-old did admit that it was a ‘very tempting’ offer given by the MVP Group-owned organization, so much so that he contemplated such with his family. However, it is in coaching that he still finds fulfillment.
“I feel marami pa ‘kong pwedeng i-contribute sa coaching. But the problem there was the opportunity they’re giving me, was to be a part of their corporate setup,” said Guiao, who’s been coaching since 1990.
“Napakaganda naman nung offer nila. Napakaganda. It was very tempting actually. Pinagusapan namin ng family ko. But accepting that offer, it would mean parang lalayo ako sa coaching. E ayoko pa naman.”
Of course, it saddens Guiao that he has to part ways with the team he molded into a playoff contender upon taking the reins in 2016, but is nonetheless thankful for the opportunity given by Manny V. Pangilinan.
There’s only one thing he regrets, though.
“Ang tingin ko kasi itong stage na ‘yung piyesa ng team, ‘yung camaraderie, ‘yung chemistry, ‘yung pag-absorb nila ng system, andyan na e. Konting breakthrough na lang,” said the two-time Coach of the Year.
“Well, the timing siguro for us is not the best timing, pero siyempre hindi naman yung timing namin ang tinitingnan ng management. Meron din silang timing on their side. So that is my only regret.”
