Incoming NLEX Road Warriors head coach Yeng Guiao has always had a preset for the composition of his team: lanky wings, scoring floor generals, banging big men, and, of course, a stretch big.
Prior to last Sunday’s draft, the Road Warriors only had Sean Anthony as their stretch big, who knocked down 31 percent of his triples during the 41st season of the PBA. And in a surprise move, NLEX drafted Alfonzo Gotladera, a known grinder during his collegiate days, during the special Gilas Draft.
Guiao was pleased with the players they drafted last Sunday, saying “We’re pretty satisfied. Of course, yun namang Gilas draft was already determined before today. But were pretty satisfied.”
“We’re looking for a big man and Fonzo Gotladera is a big man. We know we have to work on some aspects of his game and I know he also understands that.
“We are preparing actually for our next generation big men. Asi [Taulava] and Enrico [Villanueva] are not young anymore so this is the start of the preparation for that,” he furthered.
Standing at at 6-foot-4 and weighing almost 200 pounds, Gotladera is a workhorse, having averaged 10.6 rebounds per 30 minutes he is on the court during his final year with the Ateneo de Manila University. However, during his four years in the UAAP (two years with the De La Salle University and two with Ateneo), the 24-year-old had never attempted a three-pointer. It’s something that Guiao looks to develop from him.
“More or less,” remarked Guiao when asked about if he plans to teach Gotladera about shooting from deep. “That is required of the system. If they do not have those skills, those skills can be acquired.
Beau Belga was a sniper from downtown when Yeng Guiao was still coaching Rain or Shine
“It will entail hard work and different focus, but I think they’re willing to do that.”
Moreover, he added that it is every big man’s dream to be able to freely play from above the perimeter.
“Besides, all of those big men who adapted to the system are very happy of what they’re doing. Pangarap ng big men makatira sa labas and if you allow them to do that and they practice that, they will get better. I don’t think Gotladera will be any different,” the NLEX mentor shared.
But Guiao knows that it will be a process, and he is willing to be patient on his rookie big man.
“I think we’re getting closer. Kailangan puro upgrade. With the potential of these young guys, it may not be of immediate impact, but the important thing is you start the process, so we’re starting the process.”
