Coach Yeng Guiao has mixed emotions now that his Gilas Pilipinas is about to embark on a potentially rough-and-tough journey in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China that commences this Friday.
“I’m excited and at the same time, I’m feeling some of the pressure already. At the same time, I’m looking forward to competing against the best in the world,” said Guiao, as it will be his very first time to set foot in the World Cup.
“Pagka sinasabi mo yun, parang ‘di totoo, yung magco-compete ka against the best in the world.”
Guiao has proven himself as one of the brightest minds in the country. But being in the World Cup is already the highlight of his career, he said.
“Tingin ko hindi one of the highlights eh. Tingin ko this is the highlight.
“There are not too many coaches who can say that they coached in the World Cup or at a world-class level like this opportunity. So ito na yung highlight,” said the two-time Coach of the Year, who has won seven PBA crowns.
For Guiao, despite the pressure, he will simply enjoy the ride and take whatever he can.
“You never know also when you’re coming back. You never know if next year you’ll still be here or you’ll still have these players. Anything can happen. Alam naman natin yung sitwasyon sa coaching,” he said.
“Today you’re here, tomorrow you might not be here anymore. So I’m just trying to enjoy the moment and get the most out of it,” added Guiao, who was initially tapped to coach Gilas in the 2018 Asian Games before taking over permanently.
Guiao isn’t trying to make this all about himself, though. For the fiery tactician, the Philippines’ return to the World Cup for the second time in a row is something that all Filipinos can be proud of, including the PBA.
“It’s also something that we can be proud of as Filipinos and for the PBA as a league, that the league is able to produce players of the caliber enough to compete in the World Cup.”
