ALLAN THE MAN

Gilas Pilipinas will have to refocus its goals in future international campaigns, according to Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

Guiao, who has coached the national team back in 2009, said Gilas must strive to become the best team in Asia first before getting excited about conquering the world.

“Na-distract tayo sa purpose natin nung natikman natin 'yung sarap nung maglaro sa world stage eh. Pero we have already proven ourselves that we can compete there,” the Elasto Painters tactician told Snow Badua for a Spin report.

The nationals, who were looking to win their first Asian games medal since 1998, bombed in the 2014 Asiad, losing crucial games against Qatar and South Korea. They also lost to FIBA Asia rival Iran and a young but talented Chinese squad.

This was after Gilas’ stirring performance at the FIBA World Cup where it nearly upset several basketball powerhouse teams including Argentina, Croatia and Puerto Rico.

“Let us refocus on what we really want and to me, what we really want is to be No. 1 in Asia first. No. 31 tayo sa ranking ngayon sa mundo. Is that really important to us to be No. 31 o No. 20 o 25, whatever it is? Or No. 1 in Asia?” said Guiao.

The Rain or Shine coach cited that once the Philippines establishes its place in the Asian region, these improvements will also reflect in the world rankings.

Guiao admitted that the country may still have been on a high after a series of near-upsets at the FIBA Worlds and this affected its performance in Asiad.

“Parang masarap labanan at baka mastambahanang mga Argentina na 'yan at mga Puerto Rico na 'yan eh, ang sarap disgrasyahin,” he said.

“Pero sa akin it is more important to be No. 1 in Asia than to be No. 25 in the world,” Guiao said. “Mag-refocus tayo, whether is the FIBA Asia or the Asian Games, kaya natin ‘yun.”

“Dapat sa pagkakataon na ‘yun, ang focus natin ay how can we be No. 1 in Asia again.”

Guiao, however, clarified that he is not interested to become national team coach, saying Chot Reyes is still the best man for the job.

He also stressed that he has already been a national team coach and would rather concentrate on his work in Rain or Shine.

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