JAKARTA – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has confirmed that Yeng Guiao will be coaching Gilas Pilipinas in not just one but both of its games in the next window of the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers.
SBP president Al Panlilio confirmed Guiao will be coaching Gilas in matches against Iran on Sept. 13 and against Qatar on Sept. 17, even if head coach Chot Reyes will be available for the second game at the end of his one-game suspension.
“Although Chot is only suspended for one game, we want to be fair with coach Yeng that he prepare for the two games,” said Panlilio.
The fourth window is the start of the second round of the Asia qualifiers, with the September 17 game to be played in a closed-door venue.
The SBP needed to have an interim coach after Reyes was suspended for his role in the July 2 brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia at the Philippine Arena.
Panlilio said the SBP selected Guiao because of his impressive showing, thus far, in the 2018 Asian Games where the Philippines beat Kazakhstan by 37 points in their first preliminary match.
“Obviously, we were very impressed by the short preparation time dito sa Asian Games. We’ve always known coach Yeng as a really good coach. Since we need to find a coach for the next window, he was I think the perfect choice for the next window,” said Panlilio.
Panlilio said the lineup for the next window will still be discussed with the PBA board since 10 members of the Gilas pool were meted with suspensions ranging from one to six games for their roles in the fracas.
“The lineup has to be discussed and decided on. We have to work with the PBA. I think they are also cognizant of the fact that there are players who are suspended. There is a request from the SBP to have a new pool,” said Panlilio.
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