PASAY CITY — Though he appreciates their entertainment value, to implement higher-point shots in an actual basketball game could be over the top.
Coach Yeng Guiao offered that take as he spoke his piece regarding the 4-pointer and the 3-point dunk that the PBA implemented for this year’s All-Star Weekend, particularly in the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors and the ASG itself.
“Siguro for an All-Star Game that’s OK,” the Rain or Shine chief mentor told reporters “Pero siguro, nawiwirduhan pa ‘ko kung ilalagay natin ‘yung mga ganun sa regular game. There are other things we can improve.”
While the 3-point dunk has already been used in the 2007 PBA All-Star, the league applied the 4-point shot for the first time – a shot first introduced by the Harlem Globetrotters some years ago and was then adopted by the BIG3.
The said shot, though, has actually become a discussion among hoop fans in recent years with the emergence of great outside shooters. who have been knocking down shots far away from the three-point arc.
But then, if Guiao’s asked, he would rather think of other ways to help the game improve – or, in his words, ‘make the game more meaningful.’
“Para sa All-Star Game, for the sake of entertainment that’s OK, but if we really want to, siguro, make the game more meaningful, baka over na ‘yung four-point play,” offered the outspoken bench tactician.
Guiao was able to watch 4-pointers and 3-point jams in the RSJ game Friday night. His lead deputy Caloy Garcia mentored Team Stalwarts, who bowed to the Team Greats of Ginebra top assistant Richard del Rosario, 158-138.
“Pinapanood ko si Caloy kasi akala ko mananalo sila, may bonus sila, babalatuhan daw niya ‘ko. Inabangan ko. Pero natalo sila,” he quipped.
Turning serious, the owner of seven league titles actually felt pleased with what he saw from the match featuring the league’s rising stars.
“Actually, mabilis ‘yung pacing. Alam natin ibang All-Star, parang merong tinatawag na matador defense. Pero kahapon medyo decent yung depensa,” he said. “Kasi dati ‘pag may bola, pinapadaan nila e.
“I think genuinely, yesterday, they tried to balance trying to win the game, at the same time giving a quality All-Star Game,” he added.
Guiao is expecting that same kind of balance when his Team Scottie faces Team Japeth for the All-Star Game on Sunday at the City of Passi Arena.
He will coach the squad captained by Scottie Thompson, who will be playing side-by-side with Barangay Ginebra teammates Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle together with ex-Gin King Arvin Tolentino.
James Yap, Calvin Abueva, CJ Perez, Robert Bolick, Kevin Alas, Jayson Castro, Mark Barroca, and Marcio Lassiter complete the crew, who prepared for ASG a day before the much-anticipated main event of the extravaganza.
“Yes. Same tone ‘yan, actually,” said Guiao. “Mag-eenjoy kami, eenjoyin namin sarili namin. pero pa-eenjoyin namin ang fans by not short-changing the fans in giving them a sloppy game. We don’t really want a sloppy game.”
