Guiao thrilled handling tallest national team frontcourt ever in history

YENG Guiao welcomed the scenario of having a huge frontcourt at his disposal when Team Pilipinas resumes its campaign in the next window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

The national coach is looking forward of teaming up June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter with the returning Andray Blatche at the low block as the nationals host Kazakhstan and Iran one after the other at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Team Pilipinas battles Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 before facing tormentor Iran on Dec. 3.

The 6-foot-11 Blatche however, will only be eligible to play against Iran, by which time the threegame suspension meted on him by FIBA along with Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, and Troy Rosario would be over.

Still, Guiao is thrilled at the prospect of handling perhaps the tallest national team frontcourt ever in history.

"For the first time in a long while, you will have June Mar, Greg, and Japeth (Aguilar) playing together in a team with (Andray) Blatche," said Guiao. "Definitely, lalaki talaga yung lineup natin." Injuries prevented both Fajardo and Slaughter from joining Team Pilipinas under Guiao the last time, when it lost to Iran at Tehran, 81-73, last Sept. 13, but beat Kazakhstan 92-81, in a closeddoor match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Guiao allayed Team Pilipinas will have to sacrifice speed for height with the presence of Fajardo and Slaughter.

"Hindi naman tayo babagal. Nakakatakbo rin naman sila June Mar," he said.

Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle, who served as Team Pilipinas' naturalized player in Blatche's absence during the last window against Iran and Kazakhstan, are again being considered in the Nov.30 clash with the Kazkahs.

Pringle and Standardinger are included in the 20-man pool Guiao and his coaching staff will present to the PBA Board in a special meeting on Tuesday.

"We will just present the pool to them (league board) and present our training schedule as well," said Guiao. "Basically yung lang naman for their approval more or less."

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio, who is also Meralco governor to the PBA Board, is expected to accompany Guiao during the meeting.

Others included in the pool are Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Alex Cabagnot, Poy Erram, Scottie Thompson, Marcio Lassiter, Raymond Almazan, Ian Sangalang, Allei Maliksi, Beau Belga, Matthew Wright, and Asi Taulava.