FOES turn to friends as Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao handles some players he’s had issues with in the past in this year’s PBA All-Star game on August 7 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The fiery coach has been named coach of the North Team, bannered by starters Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, Marc Pingris, Terrence Romeo, and Mark Caguioa.
“It's just an assignment that's been given to me, but I'll have my own fun,” Guiao said. “I'll enjoy the moment.”
“Hindi ko alam kung makaka-enjoy sila sa akin. Problema nila 'yun,” he was quick to add with a smile. “But to me I'm just going to savor that moment.”
Guiao has previously criticized the antics of fellow Kapampangan Abueva, saying his punch on Jonathan Uyloan in a 2014 Philippine Cup semifinal game was a “stupid move," while the Elasto Painters’ latest title conquest in the Commissioner’s Cup was at the expense of Abueva’s Aces.
[See Fajardo, Abueva lead PBA All-Star starters]
Guiao handled Aguilar at Burger King, but their relationship only lasted one game after the latter requested to be traded. They also teamed up in the national team where Aguilar was maligned for his lack of aggressiveness.
Guiao’s Elasto Painters’ lost to Pingris’ Purefoods teams in the finals twice the year they won a grand slam.
“Best friend ko kasi lahat 'yung mga 'yun e, pero di ko naman pinoproblema 'yun. Sila na lang,” Guiao said with a smile. “Of course you set aside all the rivalries and personal biases and just enjoy the occasion.”
“But you have to balance the fun with some seriousness,” he added. “You don't want just a sloppy game. You want to win of course, so my approach and my message to the team is you can have your fun but you also want to win. So that's going to be our battle cry.”