Guiao weighs his options

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Yeng Guiao yesterday said he’s open to bringing his act to another PBA team or even the collegiate league  after parting ways with the NLEX Road Warriors.

Guiao and NLEX mutually ended their six-year partnership last Friday with the veteran mentor baring that he was offered a corporate portfolio, not a coaching job.

“I politely declined the offer because I still want to be able to coach,” Guiao told the Power and Play program of Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala on Radyo Singko.

Asked by The Chasedown if handling a collegiate squad is a possibility, Guiao said: “That could be an option. Hindi ko pa na-experience yung college.”

A job abroad, like Japan or Korea, isn’t in the horizon as well, “I’m too old to go abroad, settled na ako rito and try to find something here. Kung wala (coaching), may negosyo.”

Guiao clarified there was no dispute during the talks as insinuated on social medal.

“Actually gusto ko pang mag-coach sa NLEX, mahal ko itong team na ito…if they offered me (a coaching position), I’d still be here actually,” he said.

Accepting the NLEX job would mean giving up his passion for coaching, according to the seven-time champion.

“It was a corporate position. I’m not ready to retire (in coaching) but at the same time, I’m taking a risk because hindi natin alam kung may interested (from the other teams),” he said.

“Kasi once you test the market, you’re not really sure kung ano’ng mangyayari. At the same time, handa naman ako for that, take care of personal matters, business. But I’d like to be able to explore or make myself available if there’s an opportunity to still coach,” he added.

Guiao’s surprising departure from NLEX fuelled talks he might end up with his old squad, Rain or Shine, with which he won two championships.