Yeng Guiao. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Al Panlilio, president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, said the governing body for basketball in the country has accepted Yeng Guiao’s decision to step down as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.
Panlilio also lauded Guiao for not backing down from the challenge when he took on the head-coaching role for the national team last year despite the timing and circumstances.
“Coach Yeng Guiao had the unenviable task of picking up the pieces for Gilas Pilipinas Men. Even if the odds were stacked against him from the start, he took on the challenge head on and gave it his best shot,” Panlilio said in a statement Wednesday. “His selection to take over was unanimous and it spoke volumes about the respect that he has gained throughout his career from all members of the Philippine basketball community.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we accept coach Yeng’s resignation as the head coach of Gilas Pilipinas men. The SBP thanks him for his contributions and wishes him well in all his future endeavors.”
READ: Guiao steps down as Gilas head coach
Guiao resigned just three days after the Philippine team went winless in the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.
Guiao was first tapped to call the shots for Gilas in the 2018 Asian Games where he guided the country to its best finish in 16 years before being appointed to officially replace Chot Reyes in time for the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.