YENG Guiao is likely in for the long haul as coach of the Philippine men’s basketball team.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan mentioned about Guiao taking over the country’s basketball program shortly beyond his pinch-hit job for the FIBA World Cup qualifier two weeks from now.
Pangilinan said the current NLEX coach has shown that he’s up to the task as proven by the way he handled the national team that finished fifth in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta despite being formed less than two weeks before the quadrennial showpiece
“I think so,” said Pangilinan when asked if Guiao will permanently handle the national team once his duty as ‘replacement coach’ to Chot Reyes is over after the qualifiers.
That the PBA has openly lent players to the national pool with Guiao at the helm also convinced Pangilinan that the 59-year-old former Pampanga congressman and vice-governor is the right man for the job.
“Binuksan na ang pinto ng PBA kay Yeng, then pumasok ka na,” said the chairman of Smart and PLDT, obviously referring to the decision of other teams especially those under the San Miguel Corp. group to make their players available to the national pool, among them Greg Slaughter, Marcio Lassiter, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee, and Scottie Thompson.
Pangilinan added he already talked to Reyes about the matter and understands the whole picture.
Reyes is currently serving a one-game suspension meted on him by FIBA, paving the way for Guiao to briefly take over his post.
“Hindi naman manhid si Chot. Alam naman niya,” said Pangilinan.
“I think so, for the country,” when asked if Reyes was willing to give way. “Nag-usap na kami.”
But the question is, will Guiao accept the coaching post?
“Now the trick is convincing Yeng, dahil tatakbo yan for Congress,” said the SBP executive.
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