Coach Yeng made a successful debut during the Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The team Philippines finished the tournament as the 5th placer in 5x5 mens basketball. I and many Filipino fans were amazed at how coach Yeng trained the team with just 2 weeks of preparation where players came from the different teams in the PBA.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) reported that they already finalized the idea of replacing Coach Reyes, the previous coach of the Gilas Pilipinas, for coach Yeng Guiao in the upcoming Fiba Asia World Cup Qualifiers. Last time, coach Yeng is only just a replacement for coach Reyes in just 1 game for the Qualifiers because coach Reyes received a one-game suspension from the Fiba committee because of the brawl that happened on their previous game with the Australian basketball team.
New Lineup
Having a new coach, the Philippine team has also a new lineup. Coach Yeng picked his 16 new players who came from the different PBA team. Some of them already experienced playing in the Fiba tournament like Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, and Asi Taulava. Some are from the Philippine team on the last Asian Game namely Belga, Almazan, and Erram. From this 16 players, coach Yeng will pick his final 12 players to compete on the next round of the Fiba Asia Qualifiers.
Surprisingly, Greg Slaughter, the 7-footer from the Barangay Ginebra, joined the Philippine team to play on the Fiba tournament. And if Jordan Clarkson will join the new team lineup of the Philippines, then this will be a better lineup having a complete package of height, speed, and shooting skills.
##### Laban Pilipinas! Puso! . . .