YENG Guiao admitted several teams are trying to pursue a trade with Rain or Shine for Rey Nambatac.
And while initially he would not want to part ways with the guard considered as one of the team’s cornerstones, Guiao said management is now willing to listen to offers ever since the floodgate was opened when Nambatac's girlfriend expressed on social media the desire to have longer playing minutes and more active role for the combo guard out of Letran.
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The veteran coach said teams began inquiring about Nambatac after talks came out regarding the matter.
At least two ballclubs, he added, have put forward trade propositions to the Rain or Shine co-owners. Guiao declined to reveal the teams or details on the offers, other than say it involved draft picks and players.
“Ang puno’t dulo niyan is yung hindi siya masyadong nagamit, may lumabas na ganun. Sa akin kasi sa tagal ko rito, I don’t mind those things, pero other teams think na siya yun or sa kanya nanggaling yun,” said Guiao about the post on Facebook.
“But nag-uusap kami and hindi naman yun nagre-reflect ng sarili niyang desires or position,” stressed Guiao. “Kaya lang other teams are pursuing him, they know what he can do. So kung pinu-pursue siya ng ibang teams, ang sa akin naman e di sabihin ninyo kung ano ang gusto nyo. Kung gusto namin yung offer nyo, e di tatanggapin namin. Kung ayaw namin, wala kaming problema ni Rey.”
For a coach known for spreading the playing minutes on his entire bench, Guiao did address the issue on limiting the playing minutes of the 30-year-old Nambatac, a concept which the player has actually began to embrace in the latter part of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Actually natatanggap niya na yung sitwasyon kung saan sabi ko sa kanya hindi ka naman dito maglalaro ng 30-35 minutes na dati mong ginagawa, na gagawa ka ng 20 o 25 (points),” Guiao said.
“Sabi ko dito kung masaya ka sa 20-25 minutes, tapos maganda ang laro mo, dagdagan natin. Kung hindi naman, palaruin natin yung mga kasama mo. OK yun sa akin. E natanggap niya. Gumaganda na nga yung laro niya, e.”
Nambatac averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in the season-opening conference, where he averaged close to 18 minutes of playing, fourth most in the team after Leonard Santillan, Andre Caracut, and Keith Datu.
No problem with Nambatac staying
Guiao said Nambatac, who was picked in the first round at No. 7 overall by the Elasto Painters in the 2017 draft, is always welcome to stay with Rain or Shine.
“Sa akin, he can stay. Walang problema yun,” he stressed.
And while he’s not really inclined in letting go of the former Letran stalwart, at the same time Guiao said management is also not shying away from entertaining offers being made to them by other teams.
“Hindi sa willing ako, but as a coach, you always look to improve your position,” said the Rain or Shine mentor. “Hindi ko naman sasabihin sa iyo n kahit sinong i-offer sa akin hindi ko puwedeng bitawan si Rey. Kailangan i-assess mo pa rin kung ano yung sitwasyon.”
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