Guiao says change is coming to struggling NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Change is coming to the NLEX Road Warriors.

Coach Yeng Guiao, frustrated by his team’s 2-7 record in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup, has indicated NLEX will need to undergo changes in between conferences if they are to become title contenders.

“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, disappointed after NLEX’s latest 102-91 defeat to Phoenix.

The 7-time champion coach did not rule out personnel changes.

“That is a possibility. That’s always a possibility especially if you’re struggling and you feel that you need to build up the team,” he said. “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.”

With only two games left in the season-opening conference (Mahindra and Ginebra), Guiao is not expecting a playoff trip.

The former Rain or Shine mentor, accustomed to contending for titles the last few years but also in building champion teams, intends on locking his team down for the upcoming import-laden Commissioner’s Cup.

He already completed the first step in the process when he served the Road Warriors a stern scolding that lasted a couple of hours on Wednesday night, January 18.

“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. Whether we win or lose, the important thing is we come out as a better team after the game,” Guiao shared.

“Sabi ko nga ito na yung huling pag-sabon ko this conference kaya tinagalan ko at ‘yung pagsabon ko baka mga isang linggo siguro silang nagbabanlaw diyan hindi maaalis yung sabon,” he added with a chuckle. 

(I said this is the last time I’ll scold them this conference so I took my time, and my scolding will last a week and they still wouldn’t be able to forget it.)

“At least magtanda sila (they will learn) and I think that’s always been part of the gauntlet that they have to go through with our culture. We’re trying to establish a culture and meron talagang may masasala and nandito kami sa process (players will get filtered out and we’re in that process).”

Guiao plans on weeding out the weak-willed in the coming weeks.

“I’m trying to see who among the players can perform under pressure with the expectations that are put on their shoulders and at the same time, with me yelling and cursing at them, is he be able to perform,” he explained.

“So if they can perform under those circumstances then they deserve to be retained on the team.”

Guiao and his coaching staff will be conducting an all-around assessment of the team and submitting it to management for evaluation and subsequent action.

“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 player’s character,” Guiao explained.

“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.” – Rappler.com