PH remains the underdog – Yeng

For many years as a PBA coach, Yeng Guiao has embraced the label underdogs – one that rises from the bottom to attain its goal.

The veteran mentor carries the same approach in the 2018 JakartaPalembang Asian Games, particularly in the highly anticipated game against powerhouse China tomorrow.

“We’re the underdogs, and they, the Chinese – they are the favorites,” said Guiao, who is in his second stint as national team mentor, the first being in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China.

“They are a powerhouse team, they have two NBA players and they’ve been together, I think for more than four years. As for our team, we’ve been together… what, three weeks?”

Guiao’s assessment has basis since China’s current team has been together competing in different international tournaments the past four years, including the 2015 FIBA-Asia Championship, which it won against the Philippines on its home turf in Changsha.

Aside from that, China, bracketed in Group D with the Philippines and Kazakhstan, has 7-foot-2 center Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets and 6-foot-7 forward Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks.

The inclusion, however, of Jordan Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Nationals somehow lowers the odds against the Philippines, according to Guiao, as Clarkson deepened his backcourt rotation.

“Whether they’re zoning us or playing matchups, he will add a lot of options on our offensive attack. It’s just a just a matter of him getting comfortable,” said Guiao.

“But I think the more important thing is that we feel we have a chance to win. Before, it always appears that we don’t have a chance whenever we face them,” the seven-time PBA champion coach said.

“The important thing too is to keep the game close, keep the aggressiveness 40 minutes and try to duplicate the defense that we played against Kazakhstan. I think that’ll give us a chance (to win against China),” added Guiao.