MANILA, Philippines – Coach Yeng Guiao said the Star’s switch from the triangle offense to a fast-paced style under new coach Jason Webb could spell trouble to the rest of the teams because it could draw the best from veteran Hotshots like James Yap, Peter June Simon and Mark Barroca.
Guiao made this observation after learning that Webb has installed his own run-and-gun system into the team to replace the tried and tested "triangle".
The triangle offense produced five PBA championships for Star in the last four seasons under Cone, including the grand slam in 2014.
“Actually, that’s (change in system) scary kasi yung talent nila James Yap, PJ Simon and Mark Barroca, when you take them out of a rigid structure, eh mas lalo pa silang gagaling,” Guiao told Philstar.com on Friday.
The fiery Rain or Shine coach noted that Yap and Co. were a bit subdued during Cone’s time because they have to play within the ‘triangle’.
But now that Webb wants a more up-tempo game, which, Guiao said, mirrors what Rain or Shine has been doing, Star will be a lot more explosive.
“Ang nakakatakot lang talaga dito, eh yung kumawala sila James sa talent na meron sila at mag-ibang level ang laro nila under coach Jason,” noted the 56-year-old Guiao.
Statistically, the 6-foot-2 Yap’s numbers dropped significantly during Cone’s four-year coaching stint.
From 16.7 points per game in Cone’s first year in the 2012 season, the 33-year-old Yap saw his numbers drop significantly to 13.3 points in 2013, 12.0 ppg. (2014) and 11.7 ppg.(2015).
On the other hand, the six-foot Simon saw his numbers drop from 13.5 points in 28.3 minutes during Star’s grand slam season in 2014, to just 9.8 points in 21.5 minutes.
“Pero di naman ibig sabihin na hindi nila nailabas yung talent nila sa triangle, but when they try something new at nagustuhan nila, baka they will be motivated pa lalo,” he added.
Webb makes his keenly-awaited coaching debut on October 18 when Star collides with Rain or Shine in the lone match marking the opening of the PBA’s 41st season.