Vice Gov Guiao rarin’ for victory

No question, where his team currently stands in the PBA is far less encouraging than where he stands in the recent national elections.

But with his proclamation as the new vice governor of Pampanga now just a matter of time, coach Joseller "Yeng" Guiao’s inevitable victory in the elections could provide extra inspiration for his Red Bull Barako squad as it plays a crucial game versus Alaska Milk in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference today.

After his expected proclamation as vice governor-elect in the morning, Guiao will motor to Philsports Arena in Pasig in the afternoon to catch the Red Bull Barako-Alaska tussle at 6:30 p.m.

"Para sa akin, siguro hindi lang inspiration. Parang nabunutan na ako ng tinik after the election. (I have) less pressure and less burden na ako mentally sa game," said Guiao on the eve of his first post-election game.

Guiao admitted his election campaign somehow became a distraction in his preparation for his games in the PBA. "Hindi naman sa game, minsan lang sa preparation. Kasi minsan you have three to four days to prepare for a certain game, yung ibang araw hindi ko na nasisiputan," he said. "Meron nga akong assistant coaches, pero siyempre iba yung nandoon ka sa ensayo."

But with the election over, Guiao thought he can now fully concentrate on both jobs with efficient time management. "Kayang-kaya ko na yan dahil naging efficient and expert na naman ako sa time management. Kalahati ng araw ko sa basketball, kalahati sa Pampanga," he said.

In the PBA, his immediate goal is to lead the Thunder to a Top Four finish in the Fiesta Conference preliminary round for a twice-to-beat incentive in the wildcard phase.

While Red Bull is seeking to salvage a twice-to-beat privilege, Alaska, meanwhile, is, like Coca-Cola, hoping to join San Miguel in an outright entry into the quarterfinals. Coca-Cola takes on FedEx in today’s other game at 4:10 p.m.

"Everything is in place naman sa team ko sa PBA. We just have to maximize our use of our forward import (Victor Thomas) while at the same time maintaining the playing times of our big men like Davonn Harp, Enrico Villanueva and Mick Pennisi," said Guiao.

"If we can be successful with a No. 3 player (small forward) as our import, we’ll exhaust all means playing with our current lineup. If it comes to a point na kailangan na talaga namin si (backup import Julius) Nwosu, then we’ll decide on that," he added.

In his new job as vice governor of Pampanga, Guiao said his immediate concerns include the provincial budget for next year, pushing of his advocacy to transfer the national sports complex inside Clark and maximizing income the province generates from its natural resources.

Guiao also wants a permanent site for the University of the Philippines-Pampanga and the upgrading of the Pampanga Agricultural College into a university.

"Yung pag-pasa ng budget ng probinsya, trabaho talaga ng provincial council iyon which is presided by the vice governor. Doon sa advocacy ko, I have to work both on the local and national levels. Kailangan namin ng tulong ng national government dito," he said.