ANTIPOLO — Things just fell into place and that’s why Rain or Shine did not hesitate to switch imports days before the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
While it gave the impression that the change was done out of panic given how close it was to the conference opener, head coach Yeng Guiao disclosed that he has long been wanting to acquire the services of Deon Thompson.
Thus, the decision to bring him in when he became available following his stint with the Busan KCC Egis in the Korean Basketball League – at a time when the team was looking for the replacement of initial choice Kenneth Kadji.
“Ito ngang si Deon became available. Eh medyo may ano ako sa kanya eh, may maganda akong mga recollection,” he said. “So ‘yun nga, may nakita kaming mga flaws, or siguro kulang doon sa dati naming import.
“Tapos, biglang magiging available itong import na gusto mo, nag-take advantage na rin kami,” the 66-year-old mentor added.
“Kaysa sa maghihintay pa kami ng ilang laro bago kami magpalit. Una, baka hindi na available ‘to, pangalawa baka magkaroon ng losing streak na naman. Mahirap na namang makabangon. Ganun lang ‘yun.“
Guiao said as much on Sunday night, shortly after the Elasto Painters bowed to Meralco by way of a 121-111 decision in their debut at the Ynares Center here in a battle of squads that had to make do with all-Filipino lineups.
RoS had to play without its reinforcement as Thompson and the team have yet to complete the documentation process. The relevant authorities have added more requirements than usual, according to the chief bench tactician.
“Mukhang may mga bago silang requirements dahil sanay naman kami sa mga dati naming import, ‘yun lang talaga ‘yung sinasubmit namin. Biglang merong bago ngayon, so we were put off-balanced by that development,” he said.
But Guiao is positive that they’d accomplish all those ahead of their clash against Hong Kong Eastern on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
And he’s as optimistic, too, that having Thompson on board is worth the wait. Not just because of what he’s been seeing in practice, but also because of his own recollections of the former North Carolina Tar Heel, as he mentioned.
Guiao saw him perform for Ivory Coast when his Gilas Pilipinas played against the African side during the Torneo de Malaga in 2019, a pocket tournament for teams participating in the FIBA Basketball World Cup of that same year.
Although the national team beat the Elephants twice to eventually finish third in that four-nation tilt, he became a big fan of the California-native and has since wanted to bring him over to the Philippines and play in the PBA.
“Nakalaban namin ‘yung Ivory Coast noong coach ako ng Gilas eh. Siya ‘yung parang naturalized ng Ivory Coast. Kasi Ivory Coast citizen din siya, tsaka US citizen din siya,” recalled the former two-time Philippine team head coach.
“Maganda nilaro niya noon against Andray Blatche. ‘Yun nga, nakita ko may outside shot siya, may post-up game siya, nakakatakbo siya,” he added.
It’s not lost on Guiao that Thompson has added some years since first witnessing him live, although he still sees what he saw back then.
“He’s already 36 years old. So baka since mga five years ago na ‘yun, tingnan natin kung nag-iba na ‘yung laro niya. Pero kasi ‘yun nga ‘yung memory ko sa kanya,” he said. “Nakikita ko naman, mukhang ganun pa rin siya.”
Apparently, it’s a bet in which Guiao likes his chances, far from what he may be feeling had they stuck with Kadji, who’s listed at 6-foot-11.
“We were looking at him doon sa mga scrimmages namin,” he said. “Although nananalo naman kami roon sa mga tuneup games namin, of course you want to look at it sa long-term. Medyo hindi siya nakakasabay doon sa running game.
“Although malaki siya, 6’11” siya… mahirap naman talaga maghanap ng 6’11” na tatakbo ng akyat-baba e, ‘no.”
