For much of the season, Yeng Guiao had to juggle two jobs.
Since the Asian Games last August, Guiao has been tasked to steer Gilas Pilipinas. And he had to do this while remaining the chief tactician of the NLEX Road Warriors – a job he took in 2016.
Though he was able to bring Gilas to the 2019 FIBA World Cup, it seems that it came at the expense of NLEX.
The Road Warriors have now fallen to 2-4 and are down third-to-the-last in the team standings after absorbing a humiliating 111-121 defeat in the hands of defending four-time conference champs San Miguel Beermen, Friday.
And Guiao is taking the blame for his squad’s dismal campaign so far.
“It’s also been a struggle to be out of the country coaching the national team and spending my focus and time for that purpose,” said Guiao after their loss at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“I think that’s also taking some toll on our team.”
But for Guiao, this is the price he has to pay for accepting two jobs – something never done by any of the head coaches of the national team in the Gilas era.
“That’s part of the sacrifice anybody has to make for the national team.”
But it also doesn’t help that the Road Warriors have been making do in this All-Filipino tilt, no thanks to injuries to their key players Kevin Alas (ACL tear) and Larry Fonacier (strained calf muscle).
“We’ve not been able to get somebody step up enough to cover,” the seven-time PBA champion coach lamented. “Again, we’re trying to find somebody who can fill up the shoes of the two. So far, we’ve come up short sa aspect na yun.”
Now, Guiao is looking forward to their next games for their playoff push.
“We’re just going to have to be patient. We’re just going to have to look at our next four games and try to maybe win at least three, just to give ourselves a chance to make the next round.”
