After hearing the fans’ clamor, the Philippines has decided that it will be competing in the 2018 Asian Games, after all.
The Filipino basketball community breathed a huge sigh of relief on Sunday as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association have announced that the country will be rejoining the Asiad.
The development, which comes nearly two weeks after the Asiad withdrawal, is nothing short of a good news to start the month of August, knowing that July had not been a good month as scandals ravaged the local hoops scene.
But as much as everybody is delighted, another challenge lies ahead.
It’s no secret that the Filipino dribblers do not have time on their side to prepare for the quadriennial meet. The team will be flying to Indonesia on August 14, just two days prior to their first assignment.
The team will start its preparations on Monday, August 6. Head coach Yeng Guiao is fully aware that time is an issue, which is why he’s banking on familiarity with the former Elasto Painters, who will banner the squad.
Guiao will be reuniting with his former Rain or Shine wards in Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, Maverick Ahanmisi, Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu, Don Trollano, and Paul Lee, who were all part of the team that won the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup. He also tried to get Jeff Chan and Jericho Cruz as well.
“I tried to get Jericho, ang naging problema kay Jericho, injured pa siya. I tried to get Jeff Chan pero nasa finals pa siya,” shared Guiao.
It will also be a reunion of sorts among Guiao, current Elasto Painter James Yap, and NLEX Road Warriors’ ageless big man Asi Taulava, as they shared national team duties together with the Powerade Team Pilipinas back in 2009.
“One reason na gusto ko ‘yung guys who are familiar with me is because of the lack of time,” said Guiao moments after the PBA and SBP officially announced the country’s return on Sunday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“They know my system, they know my personality, and I know them in return. So mas mapapabilis namin ‘yung chemistry, ‘yung flow ng team, ‘yung cohesion ng team,” pointed out the veteran bench strategist.
However, there are also “outsiders” who haven’t played under Guiao before – Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Poy Erram, and Gilas Cadets Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero. But Guiao doesn’t see issues with incorporating those players.
“I don’t see any problem also with the rest of the guys coming from the outside.”
