YENG Guiao is happy for Nelson Asaytono and Yoyoy Villamin after they made it to the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
Guiao was the head coach of Swift when he had Asaytono during the peak of his career, and Villamin during the tail-end of his.
The current Rain or Shine coach was glad for Asaytono since he thought he deserved his spot in the greatest players a long time ago.
READ: Past is past as Asaytono, Hawkins finally take place among PBA 50 Greatest
“Nung una pa lang naman, pinipili natin ‘yung mga top players ng PBA, sabi ko, dapat talaga seriously considered si Nelson,” said Guiao before the PBA’s 50th anniversary celebration. “Medyo na-delay lang.”
“Pero ang importante, nandiyan na siya,” Guiao added. “His abilities and his contributions really need to be recognized and acknowledged.”
Guiao said the fact that Asaytono had his chances of winning the MVP during his career was proof that he should have been in the Greatest earlier.
“I was his coach then. Gabuhok na lang, mag-MVP na sana siya,” said Guiao of Asaytono, a three-time Mythical First Team. “Pero ganun talaga, some things are out of your control.”
“I think itong pagkakapasok niya ngayon doon sa top 50 na players, contribution and acknowledgement of the effort he put in and gaano niya napasaya ‘yung mga fans. And ako, naging bahagi din having coached him for a good number of years during his career,” added Guiao, who coached Asaytono from 1992 to 1996.
Guiao said the way Asaytono reacted after the snub was also commendable.
“He took it in a positive manner. Puwedeng sumama loob mo, natural lang ‘yun sa isang tao. Pero after that, I think he became even better,” said Guiao, who won four championships with Asaytono.
Guiao was also happy that Villamin was able to make it to the 50 Greatest even though his best years wasn’t with Swift. He was a Mythical Five winner in 1987 while with Alaska.
Still, Guiao said Villamin was a key player in those Swift days from 1991 to 1995 where he captured four titles.
“Yoyoy has been very close to us and sa family niya. Matagal ko rin siyang naging player towards the end of his career. Pero kahit na patapos na ang career ni Yoyoy noon, ang bigat pa rin niyang i-consider as a main player or main character in the team," he said.
“Even in those years na pa-retire na siya, palapit na siya sa retirement, he was still a force to be reckoned with in the PBA,” he added.
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