Time for a rebound
as enough basis for future success.
“I can’t say anything about it [new beginning for Philippine basketball] because I don’t plan the future. For me, it’s just my assignment [fourth window] that I need to take care of,” he told don’t know yet if we’re still involved later on,” the current head coach of Northern Luzon Expressway said.
A few days after the Asian Games ended in Indonesia, the Philippine team immediately returned to training last September 3 at the Meralco gym in preparation for the fourth window.
All the 16 invited players headed by Scottie Thomp-
practice to the delight of Guiao, SBP President Al Panlilio and businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Christian Standhardinger, Alex Cabagnot, Matthew Wright, Beau Belga, JP Erram, Paul Lee, Paul Asi Taulava, Raymond Almazan, Japeth Aguilar, Marcio Lassiter, Stanley Pringle, Ian Sangalang, Gabe Norwood and Allein Maliksi were also present.
Pangilinan even hinted to a group of reporters recently after a PBA game at the Araneta Coliseum that Guiao could possibly become a permanent national coach taking the place left by Reyes for good.
But Guiao is planning to run as a congressman in his home province of Pampanga in the 2019 elections.
“It’s true I’m going to run as congressman, that’s why I’m thinking carefully how I will put my time in both tasks,” he said. “It is possible but you need to extend yourself and how you will become effective in both responsibilities legislator].”
Prior to the start of the fourth window recently, Reyes had tendered his resignation as Philippine coach.
Before winning over Qatar last September 17, the Philippine team suffered a stinging 73-81 defeat to
- ran, Iran, last September 13.
And Team Pilipinas, as they call it now, aims to get
home after the November 30 game against Kazakhstan.
“We will bounce back against Iran,” said Guiao, whose team holds a 5-3 win-loss record.
Gilas no more
[as a national coach and Most basketball-loving Filipinos are bracing for a change not only in the team’s roster but also in the name of the team, as they reverted to Team Pilipinas from Gilas Pilipinas for a brand- new start.
For Guiao, it doesn’t matter what will they call the Philippine team.
“It’s up to them whatever name they call it,” he
all-out support of the whole team owners to the national team.”
Gilas Pilipinas had its share of the limelight.
years when it beat Senegal 81-79 in overtime.
Prior to that victory, Gilas Pilipinas had close game decisions to Croatia (78-81), Argentina (81-85) and Puerto Rico (73-77).
The country’s only lopsided loss in that tournament came against Greece (70-82).
Blatche debuted in the 2014 FIBA
World Cup as the country’s naturalized player after replacing the 6’11 Marcus Douthit.