YENG Guiao had one encounter with Deon Thompson years ago that was enough to convince him that he is the right import for Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters already had Kenneth Kadji as their import for the Commissioner’s Cup, but made the last-minute decision to let the former go and bring in Thompson instead after he became available to come over.
“Medyo hindi siya (Kadji) nakakasabay doon sa running game. Although malaki siya, 6-11 siya, mahirap talaga maghanap ng 6-11 na tatakbo ng akyat baba. So that’s one thing. The other thing, si Deon became available,” said Guiao.
READ Meralco outlasts Rain or Shine in battle of import-less teams
“Medyo may maganda akong mga recollection so ‘yun nga, may nakita kaming mga flaws doon sa dati naming import, tapos biglang naging available itong import na gusto mo," said the veteran coach.
"Nag-take advantage kami kesa maghihintay pa kami ng ilang laro bago kami magpalit,” Guiao added.
Back when he coached Gilas Pilipinas in the lead-up to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Guiao's attention was caught by the naturalized player of Ivory Coast during a friendly.
Thompson scored 20 points in that tune-up and impressed Guiao.
“Nakalaban namin ‘yung Ivory Coast nung coach ako ng Gilas. Siya ‘yung naturalized ng Ivory Coast kasi Ivory Coast din siya at US citizen din siya,” said Guiao.
“Maganda nilaro niya against Andray Blatche. Nakita ko may mga outside shots siya, may post-up game siya, nakakatakbo siya,” he said.
Guiao recognizes that his recollection of Thompson was already five years ago, but he doesn’t see why he doesn’t have the same skillset as before.
“Of course, he is already 36 years old so baka since mga four or five years ago na ‘yun, tingnan natin kung nag-iba na ‘yung laro niya. Pero kasi ‘yun mga ‘yung memory ko sa kanya. Nag-ensayo na siya at nakikita ko naman na ganun pa rin siya,” said Guiao.
Guiao assured that Thompson will already play on Wednesday against Eastern after he was unable to secure a work permit from the Bureau of Immigration after office hours of Friday.
Thompson worth the wait
The Elasto Painters bowed to Meralco, 121-111, last Sunday in their first game.
But Guiao is convinced Thompson is worth the wait.
“Baka, una, baka hindi na available ito. Pangalawa, baka magkaroon ng losing streak na naman na mahirap na naman makabangon,” said Guiao, recalling a couple of conferences ago when Rain or Shine started off with multiple defeats.
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