Guiao: Philippines has tools to be Asian champs now

MANILA, Philippines — If it’s any indication, Team Pilipinas has the makings of an Asian champion, according to Yeng Guiao.

Having taken powerhouse China to the brink of an upset and making nemesis South Korea scramble for stability for three quarters, Guiao offered that the Philippine quintet is primed for a time under the spotlight of the Asian Games men’s basketball tournament.

“Ang malaking realization (after the campaign is) that China can be beaten, they're vulnerable. Korea can be beaten. Actually, tingin ko we can be Asian champions. And we already have the materials now,” he told reporters in a quick chart after visiting his PBA team NLEX on Sunday night. Guiao wasted just arrived hours before the game at the Big Dome.

“Baka kasi akala noong iba, kailangan pa nating hintayin sina Kai Sotto, kailangan natin hintayin sina EJ Edu,” he added. “I feel we have the materials now.”

Guiao was quick to note, though, that he is merely giving his own take. After all, he himself was at the frontlines.

“That is just my personal opinion na kaya,” he continued. “Naramdaman ko eh. Nakita ko, first-hand. Nakita rin [ng sporswriters] na against China, we were just one shot away. We were one break away. Considering the Hong Kong referee gave them 35 free throws, sa atin kinse lang.” 

“And we only lost by two points. And those two points were free throws that he also gave them,” he added.

The Philippines ranks third overall in the total of medals bagged throughout the Asian Games’ history. The Filipinos, who have collected seven (four golds, a silver, and two bronzes), sit behind the sharpshooting Koreans (four golds, six silvers, and four bronzes). China is firmly latched atop the ladder (eight golds, two silvers, and a bronze).

“Looking back, it makes me believe even more na if China can be Asian Champions, if Korea can be Asian Champions, if Iran can be Asian Champions, we can be Asian Champions,” Guiao added. 

“And we don't need to wait four, five years. It's possible mangyari ngayon,” he concluded.