Head coach Yeng Guiao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Coaching changes are always big news. There’s speculation on the real score and quite often the whole truth of the matter never really comes out.
As hungry as we are for the reasons, let’s grant teams and the coaches some slack and welcome change as part of the dynamism of the game. Let’s accept the carousel that coaches have to ride when teams don’t win or don’t see eye-to-eye with their personnel.
It was initially reported that Rain or Shine and Guiao were close to signing an extension. However, NLEX made a move and caught Guiao’s interest and eventual consent.
And NLEX does need Guiao because the team is searching for someone to take it to places it has never been before. Guiao has done that with Swift, Air21, Red Bull and Rain or Shine.
The fire will be there most definitely. Mico Halili, CNN Sports Desk host says “coach Yeng brings a special kind of mystique to NLEX. The fans will see it. NLEX players will see it. You know how Jimmy Alapag changed the landscape for Meralco? Coach Yeng in his own fiery, visceral way can have that same impact on NLEX.”
NLEX has had some mild success making the playoffs in several conferences but has never really crossed the bridge to the semifinals. With Guiao, maybe this will now happen.
PBA television analyst Eric Reyes, who played for Guiao from 1992 to 1994, says “coach Yeng will make stars out of those players who hardly see action on the floor. He will make unknown players believe they are in the PBA because they are good players.”
Often all a team needs are a push and a shout in the right direction and Yeng Guiao will definitely give those to NLEX next season.