Guiao: Pro league must learn to bite the bullet

The PBA could never turn its back on representing the country in international competitions and must adjust its sights accordingly.

This was stressed by Powerade-Team Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao, who said a mid-range program that should rival those of the Asian powerhouse teams will have to be put in place, adding it could only be done when the PBA starts thinking out of the box and learn to bite the bullet.

"We cannot go on selling the perception that we are the best in Asia when every time na lumabas tayo talo," Guiao told a group of Filipino reporters here during a break in the 25th FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship. "Parang the public is being short-changed."

The Philippines’ recent losses in the international arena, Guiao added, was due mainly to the absence of a program that looks at the future instead of just the present, exemplified best by any PBA-backed team virtually starting from scratch.

"The next time you want to compete in an international competition, back to zero ka na naman. ‘Yung experience mo ngayon di mo magagamit," he pointed out. "So mag-aaral ka na naman, isasanay mo na naman ang mga players.

"Hindi mo na-accumulate ‘yung knowledge (of international play). Dapat sana nagpo-progress ka. ‘Yung Korean team accumulated lahat ng knowledge nila. ‘Yung Chinese-Taipei accumulated nila lahat iyun."

The PBA’s agreement with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for the former to represent the country abroad expires after this World Championship qualifier and the latter has a program that is set to take over.

But Guiao insisted the country’s best players will be in the PBA in their prime, that’s why the SBP will still turn to the pro league for RP teams to international competitions.

In anticipation of such an SBP request, Guiao batted for the PBA to come up with a program that will involve a selection and have it practice together in-between conferences or seasons and represent the country when needed.

"Huwag na nating guluhin ang PBA schedule," he reasoned. "Kapag break, lalabas, play abroad. In one or two years pag-aaralan natin ang sistema sa labas."

The experience can only make the PBA players better and more attuned to international play and will also help improve the quality of play in the PBA, he maintained.

"Mai-improve mo ang level ng competition," he stated. "Iba na ang level, kasi kung tayo-tayo rin lang ang laging naghaharap, parang in-breeding lang iyan."

Guiao insisted he is not broaching the idea to perpetuate himself as RP coach.

-Malaya