Because of the one-game suspension slapped by FIBA on Chot Reyes, Yeng Guiao has been tasked to be the chief tactician of Gilas Pilipinas for the first window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifers’ second round.
But Guiao’s stint as head coach of Gilas might be for the long run if he performs well.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan was all praises for how Guiao was able to blend together the hastily-formed Gilas squad. The team only had two weeks to practice in Manila, and only had four days to practice with Jordan Clarkson once they got to Jakarta. Still, the team was able to finish in fifth place – two notches higher than the finish of the 2014 team in Incheon.
“I must say that coach Yeng was a revelation.
“It was a Jekyll and Hyde transformation eh – how we managed to bring the team together. From different personalities, different teams, and how Jordan Clarkson also blended with the team,” Pangilinan pointed out moments after the TNT KaTropa’s 118-114 overtime win over the Columbian Dyip.
This time around, Guiao will once again be tasked with coaching Gilas against Iran in Tehran on September 13 and versus Syria on September 17.
For this, the Philippine Basketball Association opened its doors, making the entire league the pool for Gilas.
Even Pangilinan noticed how Guiao has been embraced by the PBA Board of Governors compared to past iterations of Gilas.
“Binuksan na ng pinto ng PBA kay Yeng eh. And then, pumasok ka na diba?”
If Guiao performs well in this window, Pangilinan believes that Guiao should be the one in charge of Gilas the rest of the way. And according to the amiable executive, current Gilas head coach Chot Reyes, who is also the president of ESPN5, is willing to give way to Guiao.
“I think so. For the country naman e. Nagusap na kami,” he disclosed.
The problem now is convincing Guiao – who handles the NLEX Road Warriors and has plans of running for congress in 2019 – to take the job.
“Ngayon, the trick is convincing Yeng. Kasi tatakbo yan for Congress eh.
“‘Pag nanalo siya eh ‘di may moral authority siya sa PBA ‘di ba?” he quipped.
