FORMER national coach Yeng Guiao believes the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is on the right track by giving valuable exposure its cadets pool through the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.
Guiao at the same time backed the move of SBP to have the Gilas cadets once again join PBA players in the coming February window of the Asian qualifiers.
“I think that would be the best choice, talagang kailangan mag-mix ka,” said Guiao during a recent SPIN Sidelines episode. “Only by mixing can you put in the present generation of the best players and the incoming generation of who will be the best players in the future.”
Similar to the first window last February, the Philippines will field a mix of pro players and cadets in games against powerhouse Korea and Indonesia in the window set to take place in a bubble in Clark.
Guiao said the cadets and the PBA players will benefit from each other during the preparation for the February window.
“’Yun ang magandang timpla. ‘Yun ang magandang balance. Kasi ‘yung mga bata, matututo pa doon sa mga beterano, and at the same time, ‘yung mga beterano, natututo din ‘yan sa mga bata.
"Kung beterano ka, hindi ka puwedeng magpa-petik petik o mag-relax relax kasi very talented ‘yung kasama mo at baka mas masipag ‘yan sa 'yo, baka ma-overshadow ka nyan,” said Guiao.
The former Gilas Pilipinas coach said the cadets performed admirably in the last qualifiers against Thailand under coach Jong Uichico and program director Tab Baldwin, but warns the tougher tests are still to come.
“Ang ganda rin kasi ng performance natin against Thailand. But of course, ang totoong measure niyan is nakakalaban mo na ‘yung Korea, Japan, ‘yung mga Middle East countries, makalaban mo Australia, New Zealand, that’s the real measure.
“Pero sa akin, mabuti nga ‘yung makalaban muna natin ‘yung Thailand o makalaban muna natin Indonesia because kailangan build-up mo ‘yan unti-unti especially these guys are coming from the college ranks.
"They will need that kind of experience and confidence. ‘Wag nating bunsulin agad. Bubunsulin mo agad, kalaban agad Australia, New Zealand, nakaka-stunt ng growth ‘yun eh mas maganda ‘yung unti-unting nagkakakumpiyansa ka,” said Guiao.
Guiao said the team for the February window will also have all the time to prepare since the PBA won't begin its season until April.
“Every time, [lack of time to practice] ang problema eh. Ngayon, hindi na factor ‘yun. Kahit January pa lang, puwede na mag-ensayo ‘yan. Pipiliin na lang ni coach Tab o ni coach Jong, eto ang gusto namin,” said the NLEX coach.
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