Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It was another long night for NLEX.
After being pounded by Phoenix on Wednesday, the Road Warriors spent the next couple of hours in the dugout getting a tongue-lashing from their head coach Yeng Guiao.
“Of course, I’m disappointed. I think that practically eliminates us out of the conference. In a way that’s going to give us some time what to think what happened, what we need to do to improve our team,” Guiao told reporters after NLEX’s 102-91 loss.
READ: NLEX gets tough love from Guiao in blowout to Star
“I gave them a long speech after the game and I told them that this was the time to talk to them about some matters that are important because in our next two games we will just try to improve,” Guiao said. “Whether we win or lose, the important thing is we come out as a better team after the game.”
Guiao said the coaching staff is already making an “assessment” of the team based on its last nine games and so far, he sees a lot of holes that need to be filled.
“We’re still lacking [in a lot of things], but I think the first thing is we need to build a team with character with players who are willing to fight it out all the way to the end and sometimes that’s the most difficult thing that you have to look for. A team’s character or the players’ character.”
READ: Rain or Shine expects tougher game against Guiao’s NLEX
Guiao also said changes have to be made with NLEX likely to finish at the bottom of the standings in its first conference under the multititled mentor.
“There has to be some changes. As I said, this is a process. It’s also good for us because this will actually reveal what our weaknesses are and what we need to do this early for us to find remedy to whatever the problem is,” he said.
Part of those changes could include shaking up the roster.
READ: Taulava says he’s sticking with NLEX
“That is possibility. That’s always a possibility especially if you’re struggling and you feel that you need to build up the team. When I say build it up, you build it up internally and you can also build it up through external process so that’s a possibility.”
Guiao, who has a reputation for building championship teams from the ground up, knows what it takes to win having steered three different teams to multiple titles.
“There’s always a learning curve. The struggle will always be there at the start but what I want is to fast-track things and I do not have the luxury of waiting for a long period of time before you build a championship caliber team and that is ultimately the purpose so we want to get there as soon as possible,” said Guiao, who has seven PBA championships across his name.
READ: Hot Phoenix burns NLEX, grabs share of fourth
“There’s a saying ‘there are no shortcuts’ But even if there are no shortcuts, you have to find the shortest route. And before you can really rise up, you have to feel what it really is to be down.”
Guiao said establishing a culture and finding the right players who have the personality that fit in NLEX’s brand of basketball will be crucial to how far the team will go this season.
“I’m trying to see who among the players can perform under pressure with the expectations that are put on their shoulders with me yelling and cursing at them. So if they can perform under those circumstances then they deserve to be retained on the team,” said Guiao.