Despite ejection, Guiao cherishing rare NLEX win streak

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX head coach Yeng Guiao is oozing with confidence.

And that’s being modest.

For one, the body language says it all. Oh, the jokes were aplenty, too.

Having been thrown out of the game with a lot of time left in the game clock, the first-year Road Warriors tactician made his way to the press room.

“I was so excited I came to [this] room early. Nagpa-dalawang technical na lang ako para makasama ko kayo agad,” he said in jest. 
 

Coach Yeng Guiao is slapped with a tech at 5:13 and again at 4:19. He's out of the game. @kiapba threatening to stun @nlexpba 83-90 #PBA2017

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) July 22, 2017

He's here at the press room with the game still to be decided. "'Di niyo pa ako tinatawag andito na ako," he said with a smile. #PBA2017 pic.twitter.com/3Xa3SmewTd

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) July 22, 2017

Coach Yeng when @kiapba threatened to upset @nlexpba: "Pinasarap lang, kayo naman." He was at the press room minutes before final buzzer. pic.twitter.com/akYPMq9xVC

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrd) July 22, 2017

The Road Warriors’ feet were on Kia Picanto’s necks early in the game. This has been the storyline for the next two periods—and until the final minute of the ball game.

“We’re really excited before this game, cause we know there’s something good that’s really happening within the team. We feel there’s a transformation from our previous mentality,” the tough-talking Guiao shared.

Having been the whipping boys of the league for the past two conferences, NLEX hit a milestone in their 100-93 victory over Kia, as it was their first 2-0 start this season.

“It's a nice feeling to be putting together a streak. I think the confidence level is getting better,” the  champion coach said. 

“We’re getting good effort, balanced effort. I think that’s what’s important—to get a balanced effort from everybody,” Guiao explained. “Aside from the balanced local effort, we have the import who is constantly giving us the scoring and the rebounds.”

But being a mentor who has been in both sides of the spectrum, Guiao is also aware that a loss is out there, waiting to pounce on his squad.

“Of course [this] only lasts until [we’ve] lost,” he said. “We’re not saying that it’s always going to be this way. Darating din yun na may mangyayari. But I guess we know that’s coming. But also, we know that we’re playing a lot better than the last two conferences.”

And such mindset applies on higher goals.

“If we can get a few more wins, I guess magla-lakas loob kami—baka mag-ambisyon kami na mag semis. Sa ngayon, wala pa kasi ‘yun,” Guiao shared. “Pagka realistically na meron kang chance, then puwedeng taasan ‘yung objectives namin. But wala pa kami sa puntong ‘yun.” 

“Maybe after four, five, six games, pwede mo na masabing sige subukan natin na pumasok nang playoffs without being too presumptuous,” he continued. “At this point baka pag inambisyon namin ‘yun, baka akala ng mga tao nananaginip kami ng dilat.”

“It’s also good that before you face the big dogs, you face the lesser big dogs. Big dogs parin, pero siguro hindi pa yung mga talagang contenders like Ginebra, San Miguel or even Star or TNT. This is going to prepare us for that,” Guiao offered.

Win No. 3 is on the horizon for NLEX, but they will still have to take down their coach’s former team in Rain or Shine—who he curiously didn’t tag as among the “big dogs.”

“Next game namin sila,” he said. “Baka lumaki ulo nila pag sinabi kong 'big dogs' din sila.”