Yeng Guiao has some friendly advice for Gilas Pilipinas following its fruitless stint in the FIBA Basketball World Cup: Focus on Asia.
Guiao on Saturday told DAILY TRIBUNE that the best way for Gilas Pilipinas to make its presence felt in a world-class event is by dominating Asian competitions like the Asian Games and FIBA Asia Cup.
The veteran mentor is speaking based on experience.
Guiao served as the head coach when Gilas Pilipinas competed in the World Cup in China in 2019 in which it ended without a single win in five matches.
“I’ve been saying it all along. It’s good to be at the world level, but it’s more important to focus on Asia first and dominate the competition,” Guiao said in a telephone interview.
“How can we win at the world level if we cannot dominate Asia? Let’s focus on Asia before thinking about the World Cup.”
The Filipinos have what it takes to win at the Asian level.
Japan, a team that Gilas Pilipinas had defeated numerous times in the past, is emerging as the top Asian team after posting victories over Finland, 98-88, in the first round and Venezuela, 86-77, in the classification match.
Asian powerhouse China, meanwhile, has only one win after beating Angola, 83-76, while Lebanon posted its second straight win after winning over Iran, 81-73. The Lebanese also beat Ivory Coast, 94-84.
Guiao said Gilas’ firepower had improved tremendously, thanks to the emergence of National Basketball Association stalwart Jordan Clarkson and 7-foot-3 rising star Kai Sotto.
“They have Jordan Clarkson now and Kai Sotto,” said Guiao, now the returning head coach of Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association.
“These are the players that we didn’t have when we competed in the FIBA World Cup four years ago. They also have a longer time to prepare.
Although Clarkson will be returning to the Utah Jazz after the World Cup, his replacement as naturalized player in Justin Bronwlee is also no push over as he knows the Filipino brand of basketball like the back of his hand.
Guiao said he expects Gilas to play better in the 19th Asian Games set in Hangzhou from 23 September to 8 October.
“The World Cup stint would definitely help our Gilas team and we expect them to play much better when we compete in the Asian Games,” Guiao said, adding that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas should turn its attention on the Asian Games, where
the Filipinos have a better chance of winning.
“The Chinese team that we faced in 2018, they have all their NBA players in that tournament. They really prepared for that tournament,” said Guiao, who also coached the Gilas squad that competed in the previous Asian Games in 2018.
“On the other hand, our team was put up at the last minute. The Philippines was not even supposed to be there.”
