Yeng Guiao coached Gilas Pilipinas to a winless campaign in the recent World Cup held in China and the setback has been painful for the basketball-loving Filipinos.
So painful that Guiao had to carry all the burden, which forced him to resign as national team’s coach.
But Judge Juan Luna High School Alumni Association saw a different meaning to Guiao’s willingness to embrace the challenge.
Taking over a national team program that has been embroiled in a controversial free-for-all against Australia, which led to the suspension of more than half of the members of the squad, Guiao put together a team that played in the Asian Games in Indonesia last year with NBA star Jordan Clarkson in tow.
Behind Clarkson, the Rain or Shine-backed Philippine squad nearly defeated China and likewise pushed the Korean squad to the limit and the Filipinos went on to finish fifth place, their best finish in 16 years in the Asiad.
With a strong clamor to take over Gilas, Guiao accepted the challenge and steered the Philippines back to the World Cup for only the second time in 45 years.
Because of his willingness to serve the country and take over a team that has been dragged into controversy, the JJLHS Alumni Association grantd Guiao, a seven-time PBA champion, with the ‘Hand Of Courage’ Award.
JJLHS Alumni president Mylene Balolong-Abas and project director Batch 1992 along with school principal Ruby de Jesus awarded the ‘Hand Of Courage’ to Guiao.
Batch 1992 also donated 10 computers to the school which was turned over during the general assembly also supported by PLDT, Gerry’s Grill, Cobra Energy Drink, Nestea, Creamy Delight, Vitamilk and Tiger Beer.
Speaking before the hundreds of JJLHS Alumni who attended the yearly general assembly, Guiao was thankful for the honor and mentioned that every setback we’ve experienced is only “temporary.”
“Naka-experience rin ako ng setbacks. Talunan ang team ko sa World Cup,” Guiao said. “Pero yung setbacks naman, temporary lang yan. Yung team ko ngayon sa PBA, yung NLEX Road Warriors, kami na ngayon ang No.1 sa standings.”
“Kasama po sa buhay ang setbacks,” said Guiao. “Pero ang importante po, bumabangon tayo. Willing tayong tumanggap ng hamon sa buhay. Yung pagkuha ko ng head coaching position sa national team, hindi ako nag-apply dyan. Halos wala na ngang gustong kumuha ng position dahil nga sa situation na naranasan natin nung controversy with Australia. Pero tinanggap ko yung hamon para sa bayan. Nagawa nating mag-perform ng maganda sa Asian Games at nakabalik tayo sa World Cup.”