Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao has a strategic plan to make the most of the Philippines co-hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup starting on August 25.
He aims to accomplish two goals simultaneously: preparing a shortlist of potential imports for the upcoming Season 48 of the PBA, set to begin on October 15, and utilizing the World Cup as an opportunity to scout for suitable imports.
Guiao acknowledged that the team has already started compiling a list of prospects, but no final decisions have been made yet. He expressed his intention to leverage the World Cup, which is being held in the Philippines, as a platform for scouting potential imports if a decision has not been reached by then.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, the 64-year-old Guiao anticipates fulfilling a role as a TV commentator during the World Cup. This dual role will afford him the opportunity to interact with elite players from various national teams, further enhancing his scouting efforts.
Acknowledging the challenge of finding an import who fits within the 6-9 height limit, Guiao emphasized the difficulty of securing such players in today’s basketball landscape. He mentioned that while a 6-7 import who fits the team’s requirements would be considered, the ideal scenario would be to find a 6-9 import. Guiao’s coaching expertise has already led Rain or Shine to clinch their second PBA title in franchise history during the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
