Yeng Guiao’s coaching career in the pro ranks has spanned three decades.
And the players he has coached in Swift, Mobiline, Red Bull, Burger King, Rain or Shine, and, currently, in NLEX include some of Philippine basketball’s best and brightest.
But who are the best players he has coached? Guiao revealed his list during one session of Hoop Coaches International Webinar presented by Blackwater.
“Ang hirap kasi I’ll be unfair to a lot of my good players, pero alam naman nila ito. Pagpasensyahan na lang nila,” said Guiao as a disclaimer to players he left out.
Surprisingly, one of the players that popped in Guiao’s list was Kiefer Ravena.
Though having only coached the 26-year-old combo guard for a little over two years, the seven-time champion coach has been fascinated by the command Ravena has even at such a young age.
The others are as follows.
“Siguro si Vergel [Meneses], he is very talented. Then siguro si Nelson [Asaytono]. I’ve already said numerous times si Willie Miller. Ngayon si Kiefer, tapos nandiyan si Paul [Lee].”
Guiao handled the dynamic duo of Asaytono and Meneses in Swift during the start of his career.
Then with Miller steering the wheel, Guiao would win three crowns with the Red Bull franchise. He then won two more crowns with Lee in Rain or Shine.
Other players who Guiao wanted to add to the list include Kerby Raymundo, Enrico Villanueva, Junthy Valenzuela, Jimwell Torion, and Cyrus Baguio.
“Madami pa akong puwede banggitin pero lima lang eh,” quipped the fiery mentor.
Guiao credits his success to all the players that were under him.
Up until now, he loves every player he has handled to death for embracing his style of coaching.
“Siguro, isa rin ‘yun sa sinasabi ko na being lucky. Kasi, ninety-nine-percent, I had players who were able to accept my tirades,” he expressed.
“Meron kasing players na talagang hindi tatanggap ng ganun. Eh ‘di ‘wag na kayo magsama ‘pag ganun. But if naintindihan niya na you are doing that out of concern and love for him, out of your intention to make him better, tatanggapin nila ‘yun.”
