Reid: Spat with Guiao ‘nothing personal’

MANILA, Philippines – What was an ugly game for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday, March 13, turned even uglier towards the end of the fourth quarter when Head Coach Yeng Guiao was ejected from the contest following a verbal spat with his former import, Arizona Reid.

Reid, who was wearing a San Miguel Beermen uniform and led his new club to a 129-114 victory over his old one at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, finished with 41 points on 6-of-10 shooting from downtown.

After some of the 3-balls he converted, Reid reportedly let Guiao and the rest of the Elasto Painters bench know about his feelings, saying “That shot was for you,” or “That’s what you get for not getting me,” most possibly referring to ROS choosing Wayne Chism over him for their import in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The trash talk escalated to a point where a first verbal altercation between Reid and Guiao led to some of the members of both teams having to separate the two and a total of three technical fouls: one to Reid, one for Guiao, and another given to ROS assistant coach Caloy Garcia.

But it didn’t end there. A few possessions later, Reid and Guiao got into another verbal clash, leading to Guiao throwing a little forearm push on Reid during an inbounds play. The act was caught by the game’s officials, who subsequently ejected the Rain or Shine head coach from the game.

Talking to reporters after the match, Reid brushed off the incident by saying “just some words were said. A few words were said. Nothing personal.”

Reid admitted that he partook in some trash-talking during the game, but didn’t specify what he said. Reid added that doing so was just one of the products of his competitive mentality.

“In between the lines, I’m trying to win,” said Reid, who’s led the Beermen to a 3-1 record since replacing Ronald Roberts. “Emotions were high. It’s never personal with me on the basketball court.”

“I hope that he feels the same way,” the import said about Guiao, whom he played for at Rain or Shine in three different conferences. “I hope he doesn’t take it personal because he’s still a great friend to me and a great coach to me regardless of the situation we had tonight.”

Reid believes Guiao was upset at his practice of pointing three fingers to his head every time he would convert a triple – although the head coach would later give a different reason leading up to the spat.

“I do that every game,” Reid said about his ritual after making a 3-ball. “I always throw the threes to the head. It’s no different. Every time I hit a 3-pointer, I do the same thing: I throw the threes to the head. Every time. Every time I make a three.”

“Look at the game film, look at every time I play, it’s always the same situation. It’s never personal.”

Reid pointed out that he still has the “utmost respect” for Guiao, and hopes to rekindle their relationship if not soon, then some time into the future.

“Without him, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t. I’m grateful for the opportunity he’s given me. He’s been a great coach for me the last three years I’ve been here and I’m thankful,” said Reid.

“I know how Coach Yeng is,” he also said. “It’s not a problem.”

“It’s over with.” – Rappler.com