For at least a stretch in the third period when San Mig Coffee grabbed the advantage, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao contemplated fielding in Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood.
The two players, who are coming off a stint in the FIBA Asia Championship for Gilas Pilipinas, were suited up for the Elasto Painters on Wednesday night.
“In the third quarter, they caught up with us, they got the lead. We lost our outside touch. That would really be a moment for Jeff. We had some problems defending their import. I think Gabe would be a good match up for their import. So those are the moment I thought na gagamitin ko ba or hindi? So I just took a gamble then,” Guiao said during the postgame interview.
Ultimately, Guiao decided against fielding in Chan and Norwood, who have had only one practice with the team after being part of the national squad for the last three months.
“I know they wanted to play, I know they wanted to contribute, but we’re looking at the long term here. I think the rest will do them a lot of good. Maybe I can play them in the next game. Without them, the rest of the guys just stepped up,” said Guiao.
“Medyo nag-aalangan ako kanina kung gagamitin ko pero I just took the gamble. Winning is the top priority of course, but there’s still some euphoria from the win — the Gilas win — it’s really hard to focus on this game.
“Kahapon (Tuesday) lang sila (Jeff and Gabe) nag-practice sa amin. At least si Beau (Belga) every now and then he comes to practice. But Jeff and Gabe came to practice only yesterday for the last three months. The first time they did a full practice with us,” said Guiao.
The coach is aware that the situation is part of the deal when Rain or Shine agreed to lend the players to the national cause.
“It’s so hard, but there’s a priority sacrifice we need to make for the national team. We’ve done our share. We contributed our people that they felt would help them. Again, we’re still contributing to that effort now because we’re still sacrificing guys who are supposed to play, but we cannot play them,” said Guiao.
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/rain-or-shine-coach-yeng-guiao-admits-thinking-of-playing-jeff-chan-gabe-norwood
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