TOGETHER AGAIN? Guiao, Lee, E-Painters destined for a reunion

After agreeing to call the shots for the Philippine team in next month’s Asian Games, coach Yeng Guiao looks headed for a reunion with a former player – Paul Lee.

A source said Wednesday that Guiao is targeting Lee, his top playmaker when they were still with Rain or Shine (ROS) from 2011 to 2016, to be part of the national team in the continental sports meet in Palembang and Jakarta in Indonesia.

“Yeng wants Paul on the team. We still don’t know, but we’ll see happens next,” said the source who has knowledge of ongoing talks but requested not to be named.

NLEX, Guiao’s current team in the PBA, has approved Rain or Shine’s request for Guiao to coach the PH team and the multi-titled mentor is reportedly in the process of forming a 12man roster.

Guiao spoke with businessman Raymond Yu, who co-owns Rain or Shine with Terry Que, and ROS coach Caloy Garcia last Tuesday and the three reportedly reached an understanding, with Garcia most likely reunited with Guiao on the PH bench.

Guiao made Lee the No. 2 overall pick for ROS during the 2011 Rookie Draft and the former University of the East Red Warrior capped his first PBA season with Rookie of the Year honors.

Lee dislocated his left shoulder in Game 2 of the 2012 Governors’ Cup, which ROS won in a thrilling best-of-7 series over Magnolia (formerly B-Meg) for its first ever PBA championship.

Guiao again steered Rain or Shine to the championship during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup and this time Lee emerged as the top performer as he bagged the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP – a first in his career.

However, after the season, Guiao, with his contract expiring, moved over to NLEX. A few days later, ROS dealt Lee in a blockbuster trade with Magnolia for former two-time MVP James Yap.

Guiao’s stint with ROS in the Asian Games will reunite him with his former players, including Chris Tiu, Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan and Maverick Ahanmisi, assuming Guiao picks them for PH team duty.

It could also be a reunion for Guiao and Yap, who played for him when Guiao mentored the national team that placed eighth during the 2009 FIBA Asian Championship in Tianjin, China.