Yeng Guiao steps down as Gilas coach

Yeng Guiao resigned as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas several days after the campaign of the team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The resignation was first reported by SPIN.ph with Guiao issuing the statement.

“In the light of all these developments, I am stepping down, as of today, as the Head Coach of the Gilas Men’s Basketball Team, in order to give the SBP a free hand in building and developing a program towards achieving our objective of competing with the best of the best. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our country through the sport we love most. Para sa bayan,” said Guiao.

In the statement, Guiao apologized for the lackluster showing of Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup that saw them lose all five games in the competition.

However, he thanked everyone who supported the team including the PBA led by chairman Ricky Vargas, and commissioner Willie Marcial. He also thanked San Miguel Corporation led by Ramon Ang and Alfrancis Chua.

“To all fans and friends who wished us well, supported us, and offered their prayers, I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. I am truly blessed to have coached the best that Philippine Basketball has to offer and to have competed amongst the best in the world. I consider the past year, most especially our participation in the World Cup, as the highlight of my career.

“Even if I had known from the beginning that this would be the end result of my decision to accept this coaching job, I would have had no second thoughts in making the same decision. I have no regrets in having taken the path I have taken in the past year; the only regret is that I would have wanted the team to have performed better on the world stage,” said Guiao.

photo: SBP