MVP says Guiao takeover from Chot as Gilas coach possible

MANILA, Philippines — The godfather of Philippine sports has given the thumbs-up sign on the country’s campaign in the just-concluded 18tht Asian Games in Indonesia.

“We had a better performance than before,” said Manny V. Pangilinan Sunday night.

The Philippines brought home four gold medals on top of two silvers and 15 bronzes, a marked improvement from the 2014 haul of 1-3-11 in Incheon, South Korea.

Overall, the Philippines also moved up from 22nd to 19th overall.

In basketball, the sport closest to the heart of MVP, the hastily formed team of coach Yeng Guiao finished fifth from seventh four years ago.

“I must say that coach Yeng was a revelation. It was a Jekyll and Hyde transformation and how he brought that team together,” said MVP of Guiao.

“Coach Yeng has done a magnificent job,” he added of the PBA coach, who was given an extension of his duty as Gilas coach – all the way to the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

If successful, Pangilinan said Guiao might even be tapped to take over the Gilas coaching for good -- from its old mentor, Chot Reyes.

“I think so, too. I’m thinking what you’re thinking. I think so, too. The PBA has opened the doors to coach Yeng. He might as well get in,” said Pangilinan.

Reyes, he added, will pave the way for Guiao if he needs to.

“He (Reyes) knows it. I think so. For the country (he will),” added Pangilinan.

It’s just a pity that in boxing, another sport that enjoys the all-out support of the MVP Group, no one delivered the gold after three boxers reached the semis.

Officiating may have something to do with the bitter losses of the boxers. But MVP said it’s something that everybody expected.

“Alam na natin ‘yun. Ganun ‘yun eh. Kung gusto mo magka-medalya, lumaban ka sa ganun. Lessons learned,” said the country’s No. 1 sports patron. 

He said the Philippine Olympic Committee under Ricky Vargas is now seriously considering making a bid for the hosting of the 2030 Asian Games.

The 2022 Asiad will be held in Hangzhou, China, and the 2026 edition in Nagoya, Japan.

The Philippines, he said, may pitch for the 2030 edition, and its first hosting of the Asian Games since 1954.

“Do you think we should bid for 2030? It’s about time. It’s a big commitment. It’s a country commitment, and not just the POC,” he said.

“But wee have to talk to the government because new facilities will have to be built. The SEA Games (to be hosted by the Philippines in 2019) is a smaller event compared to the Asian Games. But as long as the government says it’s okay,” said Pangilinan.