Guiao to juggle political career and Gilas duty

Yeng Guiao has yet to fully cash in into the idea of becoming the chieftain of the national basketball squad.

After all, he’s going to wrestle with disruptions in his daily grind.

“[The appointment] will affect ‘yung mga previous na plans na I feel importante rin sa career at buhay,” he said. “Pero any coach would love the national position. ‘Yan naman ang pangarap ng lahat—and I’m one of them. Kung hindi lang na-set ‘yung mga ibang plano, I’ll (immediately) grab [the opportunity].”

Pressed for more, Guiao gamely shared that he is bracing to run for office anew.

“Kasi, I’m running for Congress. October is the filing for certificate of candidacy so once I file, I have to work there also,” he bared.

Guiao said he, too, is wary of the possibly myriad of complications that might crop up along the way.

“Ang tanong, kung naka-file ka na and then you’re formally campaigning, would that be fair to the national team?”

Don’t get Guiao wrong. He would love to have the spot. “Gusto ko naman eh, lalo na kung okay kay Chot (Reyes) na magbigay (daan) siya. Gusto ko 'yan, lahat ng coaches gusto 'yan. Especially you feel that after the Asian Games, parang may feeling ka na parang kaya — na alam ko na ‘yung diskarte dito—parang ganoon,” he shared.

SBP’s chairman emeritus on Sunday suggested that Guiao might be tapped to replace Chot Reyes as the Gilas program’s tactician.

“The PBA has opened the doors to coach Yeng. He might as well get in,” said Manny V. Pangilinan.

“He (Reyes) knows it. I think so. For the country (he will),” he added when asked about Reyes paving way for Guiao.

If the plan pans out, Guiao will be the fourth architect to helm the program. He succeeds Reyes who held the post twice: once from 2012 through 2014, and then again from 2017 to present. —