Mallari ‘likes’ playing under Guiao

Alex Mallari (in a game between TNT amd Mahindra (File photo from INQUIRER.net)

New NLEX wingman Alex Mallari seems to have found his niche under head coach Yeng Guiao.

The Road Warriors head coach has a reputation of letting out his temper in a flash, but for Mallari he is perfectly fine playing under a volatile mentor.

“I like it,” said Mallari after NLEX lost to San Miguel 114-108 Friday at Cuneta Astrodome. “First impression, I like it. He gets mad when you don’t take open shots, because this is an equal opportunity offense.”

Mallari started the game for his new coach and finished with 11 points, on 5-of-13 shooting, and seven rebounds.

And with the reputation Guiao has in the league, it’s natural there are rumors surrounding his coaching brilliance and his trademark temperament.

Guiao is one of the PBA’s most decorated coaches having won titles and was named as the league’s Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2012.

“I always hear great things about coach Yeng, and everything was true, and I also heard about bad things, and they’re also true,” said Mallari laughing. /atm