Coach Yeng Guiao. PBA IMAGES
ILOILO CITY — Coach Yeng Guiao promised to give at least some semblance of a competitive affair on the part of Team Scottie against Team Japeth in Sunday’s PBA All-Star Game in Passi City.
“We want to enjoy ourselves, but we also want the fans to enjoy and not shortchange the fans with a sloppy game,” Guiao said before Team Scottie went to practice at Iloilo Sports Complex on Saturday in this city.
Being competitive is usually secondary for an All-Star event, which usually draws a mixed reaction from those wanting to see a showcase of the best and popular players of the league result in a game to watch.
But Guiao would like to follow what transpired with how the Rookie Sophomore Junior game the other night.
Team Greats won 158-138 over Team Stalwarts behind Most Valuable Player Adrian Wong, but the game was close for the most part, with players actually showing some defensive moves.
“We know that in other All-Star Games, there’s what you call a matador defense,” Guiao said. “But yesterday, the defense was decent because before they would let the man with the ball pass them.
“I think, genuinely, they tried to balance trying to win the game, and at the same time, give a quality All-Star Game,” he added.
Guiao met the team for the first time, spending the first phase of practice walking through a few plays he had been implementing as Rain or Shine coach.
The other phase was concentrated on allowing players to work on their shots and to choreograph a number they’ll perform in the traditional dance-off that will be held before the game.
While Guiao vowed to make the game meaningful, he has no plans of showing his dancing skills.
“It will be the end of the world if I do that,” Guiao said in jest.