Yeo puzzled by benching, but respects Globalport decision

MANILA, Philippines – Joseph Yeo is perplexed by his sudden benching in Globalport’s last two games as rumors emerge that he is on the trading block once again in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. 

The 32-year-old guard did not see action in back-to-back losses to Blackwater and Meralco even as star Stanley Pringle was sidelined with an ankle sprain. Despite his confusion and awareness of the trade rumors, Yeo respects the coaching staff’s decision.

“Ewan ko, wala naman sinasabi coaches sa akin. Curious din ako bakit hindi ako ginagamit. Sabi lang sa akin ni coach Pido (Jarencio) diskarte niya raw yun so ako, okay lang yun. Diskarte niya e. So nire-respeto ko yung desisyon niya,” Yeo said following the Batang Pier’s 115-103 defeat to Blackwater on Sunday, March 6. 

(I don’t know, the coaches did not say anything to me. I’m curious as well why they’re not using me. Coach Pido just told me it’s his strategy so for me that’s okay. It’s his strategy. So I respect his decision.) 

“Sa teammates ko wala naman ako problema e. Ewan ko sa coaches kasi parang weird naman kasi bigla na lang sasabihin nilang diskarte nila, pero kita mo naman wala na kaming players diba.” (With my teammates I don’t have any problems. With the coaches I’m not sure because it’s weird for them to suddenly say it’s a strategy, but you can see we don’t have any players.)

Yeo did not play even as Terrence Romeo injured his calf and returned late in the game. 

“Wala na nga si Stanley. Kaya doon ako nagulat kasi wala si Stanley tapos hindi pa rin ako pinalaro,“ Yeo added. (Stanley didn’t play. It surprised me that Stanley wasn’t playing but they still didn’t let me play.) 

Yeo, a 10-year PBA veteran, shrugged off articles he read on a possible trade saying he is used to dealing with that. It’s something he’s used to after having played for 7 teams in the PBA already. 

“Until nandyan na, wala pa rin, practice pa rin ako (Until it’s really there, I’ll still practice),” he said. “Professional ako sa team ko. Positive lang ako. Yung iba pinapalaro so sinusuporta ko sila (I’ll be professional with my team. Stay positive. Others are playing so I’m supporting them).” 

Yeo, who was traded from Barako Bull to Globalport at the end of last season, went on to share his supposed “bad” luck with PBA teams and how he’s become a journeyman through the years. 

“Malas siguro sa akin yung mga teams. Every time I’m playing well sa team nagdi-disband yung team. Before I was with Sta. Lucia ganoon nangyari, sa Air21 ganoon din nangyari. Sa Ginebra nandoon ako, nagpalit ng coach, si Frankie Lim hindi ako kursunada nilipat ako,” he explained.

“Tapos biglang sa Barako ganoon din nag-change ng management kaya napunta ako rito. Siguro ganoon talaga. Malas lang sa mga teams na napupuntahan.” 

(Maybe I have bad luck with teams. Every time I’m a bit stable with a team, they disband. Before I was with Sta. Lucia that’s what happened, with Air21 it was the same. With Ginebra they changed coaches and Frankie Lim did not want me so I was traded. And then with Barako there was a change in management so I was shipped here. It’s just the way it is. Bad luck with the teams I go to.) 

Those trade rumors were fueled not only by his benching but by team owner Mikee Romero’s reported Facebook post stating: “With the emergence of Paola Taha, Jonathan Uyloan and new recruit Jeric Fortuna, 1 of our old veteran players who is playing very poorly will spend more time in the bench. I hope he can still find a team that would want him. (clue: we gave away a first round pick to get this player and sad to say we are banging our heads now).” 

The former DLSU Green Archers star said he already knew he wouldn’t be playing upon reading the post. He said he has not spoken to Romero or any other member of team management yet. 

“Parang lahat ng mga players dito kinausap nila pero ako parang cold sila sa akin,” he admitted. “So siguro nga baka malipat nila ako. Kung malipat e di okay, kung hindi e di trabaho pa rin.” (They seem to talk to the other players but they seem cold towards me. So I may be traded. If I get traded that’s okay, if not then I’ll keep working.) 

Reacting to Romero’s post, Yeo said he does not feel like he performed poorly, emphasizing that he played his role of supporting Pringle and Romeo as Globalport reached the semifinals for the first time in franchise history in this season’s Philippine Cup. 

“Sa akin naman as long as nananalo kami wala naman problema sa akin kung maka-score ako, hindi ako maka-score,” said Yeo, who’s been averaging 8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists since his arrival at Globalport. 

“Hindi naman ako nakikipag-compete sa mga teammates ko na ako dapat maka 30 points.” (As long as we’re winning I have no problems if I score or not. I’m not competing with my teammates that I should score 30 points.) 

Globalport’s next game is on Sunday, March 12 against the Alaska Aces. – Rappler.com