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Guiao, RP 5 shopping for tune-up before SEABA
Written by staff   
Tuesday, 24 February 2009 00:15

Yeng GuiaoStripped of any tune-up game before they plunge into action in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) tournament in Kuala Lumpur this April, national coach Yeng Guiao is scurrying to find a suitable warm up for the FIBA Asia-qualifying tilt.

Guiao, who is tasked to assemble an all-pro squad for the SEABA, said he is looking at two remaining options: “We can invite a foreign team over to play with the national team but that would be expensive. Or we can perhaps play against (Philippine Basketball Association) imports."

Guiao’s PBA-backed team was to meet the selection from Puerto Rico, but the scheduled matches were abruptly cancelled, leaving Guiao and his team without a tune up game before the April 2-6 SEABA competition, a qualifier for the FIBA Asia Championships in China in August.

Guiao emphasized the importance of giving the team the experience to play a competitive game as a unit for their SEABA and FIBA Asia build-up. "We cannot keep on playing each other. And although lamang tayo sa SEABA in terms of talent, ang delikado is we're doing it in Malaysia, and they're a contender.

“We have to make allowances for the home court advantage. So do we leave everything to chance and just assume that we're the stronger team without even playing tune up games?" said Guiao.

However, the fiery mentor admitted these two alternatives might not even be feasible.

Inviting a foreign team, Guiao said, could eventually be out of the question, "unless we can find one willing to shoulder their own expenses like the Singapore Slingers."

The Burger King mentor also expressed doubts about forming an all-import opponent to face the RP team. “Mukhang mahirap ipatse-patse yung mga imports tapos paglalaruin mo lang nang ganoon. Isa pa, pare-pareho lang ang laki nila e. Puro six-five at six-six lang ang height."

A third possibility, Guaio said, is to form a PBA selection but then again, it might not work considering the proximity to the league’s upcoming all-star festivities. "Di rin naman puwedeng bumuo ng isa pang all-PBA team dahil mape-preempt naman natin yung All-Star Weekend natin, Para na rin kasing All-Star Game yon e. Malapit na rin yung sa PBA, di ba? Sa totoo lang, wala na akong nakikitang alternative (as a tune-up game)."

The national mentor said it is imperative to discuss the matter with PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios immediately, especially with the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup set to kick off on Feb. 28 with 6-foot-6 reinforcements on parade.
 
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