First-year NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao did not hide his displeasure over the Road Warriors’ quarterfinal loss to the Star Hotshots on Tuesday night — the loss that put an end to their Cinderella run in the 2017 Governor’s Cup.
“We had actually expected a little bit more,” rued the multi-titled mentor after their 77-89 loss at the Mall of Asia Arena. “We were playing so well early in the elimination round. Siyempre tataas yung expectation mo.
“I guess the reason why we’re disappointed is because our expectations were propped up by our limited success… It’s disappointing.”
Hopes suddenly rocketed for the Road Warriors after they ended the elimination phase as the fifth seed with a 7-4 card — an improvement from the past two conferences, where they had amassed a dismal 4-18 win-loss record.
But then again, the crushing loss to the now-semis-bound Star meant it was all in vain.
“We are really saddened actually by the turn of events. But in situations like this, you always have to look at the positive side,” shared Guiao, who took over NLEX’s coaching reins before the start of the 2016-2017 season.
“It’s an improvement from our first two conferences.”
And among those silver linings the veteran coach mentioned is their good position in the upcoming Rookie Draft, which will take place in October.
“I guess we will probably draft second place with the situation,” said the coach, who has been vocal about drafting either Christian Standhardinger or Kiefer Ravena. “Maybe if we would’ve made the next round, we might drop all the way to number three.
“So siguro that’s the silver lining.”
NLEX obviously revamped this season, and the franchise does not have any plans of stopping just yet. Surely, the Road Warriors’ off-season — from the Rookie Draft to free agency and to exploring trade deals — will remain busy.
“So now, we’re looking forward to building up from the draft and from opportunities with trades, maybe in the free agency. We will keep on looking at our pieces and try to put together a team that can contend at the highest level,” shared the two-time coach of the year.
“This is an improvement, but we’re not only looking to just improve. We’re looking to contend with the big boys.”
But Guiao knows that this process, no matter how gratifying it will be in the end, will always be a painful one.
“You just have to go through the pains eh,” said the seven-time champion coach.
“It’s like childbirth – bago mo mailabas yung bata, talagang masakit muna ang dadaanan niyo, and I’m seeing some very good signs looking into the future.”
