Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
In less than a month, Yeng Guiao will be reunited with former team Rain or Shine for the 2018 Asian Games.
The Elasto Painters were tasked to represent the Philippines in the basketball tournament in Jakarta after TNT pulled out, and Guiao will have a lot of things to do before the first game on August 16.
Guiao’s first assignment is to rush the final lineup that will consist of players from Rain or Shine along with Gilas Cadets Abu Tratter, Ricci Rivero, and Kobe Paras.
NLEX center Asi Taulava is also included in Guiao’s list to help the Philippines defend against the big men in the region.
“We’re rushing him to really come up with a lineup already,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio Thursday at the PBA Office after the league’s board meeting.
Another name that was included in the list is Cleveland’s Jordan Clarkson but he still has to get clearance from both the Cavaliers and the NBA, and go signal from Olympic Council of Asia to be able to play.
“After we submit we should expect an immediate reply because the Asian Games is just around the corner, we’re hoping for a quick reply from OCA,” said Panlilio.
The SBP is already behind the June 30 lineup for the submission of the final lineups but got a pass after TNT’s core including top players Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario were suspended by Fiba.
Although those players can still technically play in the Asian Games as the Fiba ruling does not encompass the continental meet, the SBP decided to have the TNT core sit this one out.
“I think, this is more of a moral standpoint,” said Panlilio.