JAKARTA – Initially the national coach for a few hours, Yeng Guiao did become the bench chieftain of the Philippine national quintet in the 18th Asian Games. And his tenure has just been extended with the Asiad still in progress.
During the team’s final practice in preparation for their game against China today, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Al Panlilio said Guiao has also been chosen to hold the rein for Gilas Pilipinas in its FIBAWC eliminator games against Iran and Qatar next month.
“The SBP has decided to appoint coach Yeng for the next window. We advised him last night and he accepted it,” said Panlilio. “He didn’t say yes right away but he considered his experience here coaching the Asian Games. That was a big factor in him accepting it.”
The STAR had hinted this would happen in an exclusive report last week after the most recent PBA board meeting.
The SBP needed to tap a new coach and new players following the suspensions incurred by coach Chot Reyes, assistant coach Jong Uichico and players Andray Blatche, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Carl Bryan Cruz, Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright and Jio Jalalon in the aftermath of the Gilas-Kazakstan brawl.
All these personalities are banned in Gilas’ game against Iran in Tehran on Sept. 13 and most of them against Qatar in a closed-door game in Manila on Sept. 17
Guiao was the national head coach for a few hours on July 26 when he was tapped to call the shots for the Asian Games during a PBA board meeting, then the SBP decided to pull out of the games hours later.
He remained the head coach, though, when the SBP had a change of heart and booked an Asiad re-entry on Aug. 5.
Guiao has had a previous tenure as a national coach in the FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China in 2009.