Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie Mike Ayonayon of the NLEX Road Warriors is preparing himself for the “tough love” of veteran head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao.
Ayonayon said over the PBA Kamustahan podcast he was already given a tip by NLEX senior players on how to endure the nature of Guiao as a tough drillmaster.
“Excited at nine-nerbiyos (ako) kasi si coach Yeng medyo (matindi) magsalita. Hindi ko dapat didibdibin ‘yung mga sinasabi niya. ‘Yun lang naman advice sa akin ng mga beterano sa amin,” he said. “Stay focused lang ako sa game.”
Ayonayon was chosen by the Road Warriors during the first round of the 2019 PBA regular draft following a notable career with the Knights in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League where he won a championship and was adjudged Finals Most Valuable Player.
Guiao, for his part, likes what he saw from Ayonayon during the series of tune-up games NLEX played before the PBA’s new season started. Season 45, however, was immediately postponed due to coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“He (Ayonayon) doesn’t play like a rookie,” said Guiao. “He is not a project. He is almost a ready-made PBA player. Our guard rotation is loaded but picking him shows how important he is to us.”
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Oscar “Dodong” Bascon, one of the great contributors in Negros Occidental basketball, succumbed to cancer in Bacolod City on Wednesday. He was 86.
Dodong’s son and Negros Occidental board member Tinto Bascon confirmed the former’s death to Inside Bacolod.
Dodong’s placing of Negros Occidental basketball on the radar led to the discovery of Bacolodnons Rudy Distrito, Yves Dignadice, Noli Locsin, Donking Sasuman, Boyet Fernandez, and Reynel Hugnatan.
He was also part of the Negros Slashers management in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.
Aside from basketball, Dodong also supported the trainings and joining of tournaments of other Bacolodnon athletes./PN
