JOSELLER “Yeng” Guiao stayed mum on reports that he is set to take over from Vincent “Chot” Reyes as permanent head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.
In an interview during Gilas’ preparation for the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier next month, Guiao said he wants to focus in the upcoming games rather than looking on the future.
“I will just do my best to coach the team and try to prepare it as best as I can,” Guiao said.
“If I can elicit the same commitment and the same effort the boys put out in the Asian Games, I will be happy. The results will just follow.”
He added: “I don’t think the ‘pressure’’ is coming from that possibility of becoming the permanent Gilas Pilipinas coach. My pressure right now is how to maximize all this talent and conduct them like an orchestra and produce the greatest symphony.”
Guiao also said he has yet to talk to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manuel Pangilinan with regards to becoming permanent Gilas coach.
“Our first agreement was that I accepted the job only because I knew it was temporary,” Guiao said. “I was pinch-hitting. I was holding the fort. Nothing has been said to me yet.”
According to Guiao, “It’s hard to contemplate on a matter that isn’t real yet. If that happens, then that’ the time I’ll think about it. If this is not temporary and it goes on for a longer period of time, then I have a problem. But it’s a good problem.”
For now, Guiao is busy preparing the national men’s basketball team in their away game in Iran on Sept. 13 and home match against Qatar on Sept. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
CenterPhil still unbeaten in Primes Cup
CenterPhil Montessori Silver Knights maintained its unblemished slate in the Primes Cup 2018 Season 2 Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Santa Clarita Gym in Iloilo City.
Silver Knights tallied its fourth consecutive win in the U-18 division following a 92-45 domination over Iloilo City National High School. Lester Valn Paraico top-scored with 15 points for Silver Knights.
Iloilo Doctors College, meanwhile, scored a 75-43 win over La Paz National High School with Rico Jhan Tambalo finishing with 17 points. Iloilo National High School outdueled Hijas, 61-56.
Assumption-Passi, meanwhile, suffered consecutive lopsided defeats in the U-15 category at the expense of University of San Agustin (82-57) and La Paz National High School (42-30).
Agapito Clarito Jr. waxed hot with 21 points to carry USA past Assumption-Passi, while Clark Kent Montano Sawit unloaded 15 markers to tow Lapaz to victory over the Passinhons.
In the other U-15 match, Integros B escaped with a 56-54 win over Jalandoni National High School.
In the U-12 category, Fritz Robles scored nine points as Santa Clarita International School scored a 33-32 win over Hijas, while University of San Agustin edged Pavia, 51-38./PN
