Yeng Guiao discovers another diamond in the rough
Under-utilized before by Phoenix Fuel Masters, Michael Miranda is now having a good time with NLEX Road Warriors under coach Yeng Guiao. And on Wednesday night in Game Two of their quarterfinal series with the Alaska Aces, he delivered big.
The 6-foot-6 slotman, who totaled just 12 points during the Philippine Cup a year ago, finished with 12 points and three boards, but the highlight of his performance was the five straight points he made in the closing minutes, which turned an 83-80 deficit to an 85-83 advantage with 2:06 left to play.
Thanks to that brave stand of his, the Road Warriors won, 87-83, and are now headed to the semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
“Miranda was just a potential just aching to expose himself given the chance,” said Guiao, as Miranda had only played a total of 256 minutes during his two-year stint with Phoenix. “He really rewarded the team by making the most out of the chance given to him. It’s the story of a lot of players — players languishing on the bench.
“But when you give them a break, they will step up and prove themselves. That’s just an example in Mike Miranda.”
The San Sebastian product was indeed a treasure waiting to be unearthed. And that is why he couldn’t be more grateful with the chance given to him by the veteran Guiao, a coach known to mine diamonds in the rough.
“Oo nga, yun nga eh. Dati ‘di ako napapansin eh,” reflected the 27-year-old from Pampanga. “Sinabi niya nga na binibigyan niya ‘ko ng break, siyempre kailangan ko suklian yung binibigay nilang tiwala dito sa team.”
Miranda, however, can’t spend much time on cloud nine, even with his huge game, as a tough challenge in Magnolia Hotshots lies in the semis. It will also be an acid test for him, as he will go up against the likes of Ian Sangalang and Marc Pingris.
It may appear daunting, but the three-year pro — who averaged 11.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in the quarters — is up for it.
“Gagawin lang namin yung pwede naming gawin. Lahat naman pwede paghandaan,” he said.
“Kailangan pa rin namin magtrabaho kasi semis na ‘to eh, ‘di na basta-basta. Work hard pa rin and play hard, and play as a team.”
