MANILA, Philippines – Most of the time, Yeng Guiao tries to pull out all the stops just to contain June Mar Fajardo, the PBA’s most dominant player.

On Friday night, May 25, the NLEX Road Warriors tactician had nothing to do but sit back and relish on the experience of being on the reigning 4-time MVP’s side for once. 

Guaio had the rare chance to mentor Fajardo as head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas side that faced the Luzon All-Stars in the Batangas City leg of the 2018 PBA All-Star Week. 

Backstopping teammate Terrence Romeo – who unloaded 48 points to shatter the All-Star Game scoring record – the Cebuano center also had himself a night with 30 points and 14 rebounds on the way to a 152-149 triumph for the national team. 

“To me, one of the rare occasions where dati, lahat ng paraan para mapigilan mo siya, iniisip mo. Ngayon parang nag-eenjoy ka lang, ‘Sige pigilan niyo kung kaya niyo.’ Parang ganoon,” said Guiao. 

(To me, this is one of the rare occasions when I just enjoy watching him instead of trying to stop him. I am thinking, ‘Try to stop him if you can.’)

Interestingly, Guiao steered Gilas to victory against Fajardo’s San Miguel coach Leo Austria, who manned the sidelines for the Luzon All-Stars. 

“‘Yun nga ‘yung feeling na sabi ko, all 12 coaches in the PBA would want that feling or that chance pero si coach Leo lang ang merong ganon. So parang swerte talaga  o talagang para sa kaniya.” 

(All the 12 coaches in the PBA would want that feeling of coaching Fajardo, but only coach Leo enjoys that privilege. It’s either he’s lucky or it’s just meant to be.)

Fajardo will not be at Gilas’ disposal when the PBA heads to Iloilo City for the final leg of the All-Star Week as he reinforces the Visayas All-Stars against the Nationals on Sunday, May 27. – Rappler.com