Guiao’s ‘revelation’ is turning out to be a lock for Gilas Pilipinas.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan was one of the lucky 50 VIPs able to witness the historic closed-game encounter between the Philippine Men’s National Basketball Team and Qatar, Monday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Though cheering was refrained due to the sanction imposed by the International Basketball Federation to the SBP from the brawl that occurred last July 2 at the Philippine Arena, Pangilinan was still on the edge of his seat for most of the game.
Gilas trailed by as much as 17 points in the first half – attributed to the lack of fans in attendance. But once the Filipino cagers came to accept that they should find their motivation within, the highly-favored home team was able to cruise past the lowly Qataris in a huge second half turnaround that led to a 92-81 victory.
“Naka-cardiac yung first half pero once their shots went into the basket, sunod-sunod na,” Pangilinan expressed.
“A lot of credit goes to coach Yeng [Guiao].”
Guiao was first tasked to sub in for coach Chot Reyes for the first window of the second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. However, Reyes stepped down from his post a week prior to the said window.
The seven-time PBA champion coach has yet to receive a formal offer from the SBP to continue. But if Pangilinan were asked, he wants Guiao to remain in office up until the World Cup rolls around.
“Wag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa,” he said as the Philippines is only a full game ahead of Japan in Group F for third place.
“We’ll get there sa World Cup. I’m confident under coach Yeng (that we will qualify) sa World Cup.”
Besides Guiao, Scottie Thompson also drew praise from the affable executive. With Thompson steering the wheel, Gilas made a huge third quarter rally that changed the complexion of the game.
“Scottie Thompson did a yeoman’s job on rebounding,” Pangilinan remarked about Thompson, who had six rebounds, three points, two assists, and a steal.
“Of course, the shots went in. Credit to the players.”
But first thing’s first for Pangilinan, the SBP, and Gilas. Though the long-term goal is to be back on the world stage, the agenda right now is to get back at Iran at home on December 3.
“Kailangan makabawi sa Iran,” he declared.
“And natalo daw ang Iran sa Japan. So medyo.. That makes our games more important now.”
