FOSHAN, China – Coach Yeng Guiao wouldn’t mind taking the fall for the two blowout losses Gilas Pilipinas suffered at the hands of crack European teams Italy and Serbia in the FIBA World Cup.
“At the end of the day, pag natapos na to and we are not happy, then we’re willing to take the consequence,” Guiao said during Tuesday’s practice at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center here.
Guiao, whose team is scheduled to end its Group D campaign Wednesday against Angola, admitted trying to shield his players away from criticism after the Filipino cagers were soundly beaten by a combined margin of 105 points.
Struggles shooting the ball from the three-point arc and costly turnovers hounded Gilas during the two games, prompting Serbia coach Aleksandar Djordjevic to describe them as a team that lacks quality.
“Sinabi ko nga sa team na pagbalik natin sa Pilipinas, tuloy pa din kung ano yung ginagawa niyo. Kung ano kayo noon, ganoon pa din kayo. Perhaps you’re better because you learn your lessons, better basketball player, better person,” said Guiao.
“But when we get to the Philippines and hindi natin na-accomplish at di natin na-improve, I will answer for everything. You have no consequence to suffer sa mga players.
“Kakausapin ko mga boss natin, sasabihin ko: ‘Boss, hanggang dito lang ako. Eto lang kaya ko, bahala na kayo kung ano gusto niyong gawin,’” Guiao added.
Gilas leaves Thursday for Beijing to play two classification matches against Iran and the loser of the Group C match between Puerto Rico and Tunisia.
Winning both games could help Gilas’ slim chances of a Tokyo Olympics slot given to the best Asian team or the Olympic Qualifying Tournament given to the 16 best teams that failed to secure a direct slot to the Games.
“If we let ourselves down and dwell on that negativity, we have no chance. We will go on a downward spirit if we don’t recover anymore,” he said. (Jonas Terrado)
