This is part of the legendary mentor’s unique on-court personality.
It turned out, Yeng Guiao is not only great at coaching. Every game, he also brings his A game in trash talking.
Just ask PBA legends Marc Pingris and Willie Miller.
In a video posted on PBA Motoclub’s Youtube page, the PBA legends revealed their best Guiao stories and, apart from the tongue-lashing, the trash-talking also emerged from the conversation.
Once a Guiao soldier, Miller said he experienced that first-hand when he got traded from Red Bull Barako to Talk ’N Text.
“Kate-trade ko lang, sila agad kalaban. Nag-jumpshot ako, bantay si Sky (Cyrus Baguio), Sablay,” he said. “Sabi niyang ganyan, ‘Good defense, Sky! Wala namang shooting 'yan.”
Miller, though, knew Guiao so well and didn’t let that get into his head. He responded in true Willie Miller fashion.
“Lumapit ako sa kaniya, sabi ko titira ako uli mamaya,” he said with a big smile.
Pingris’ story was more scathing at first. The Pinoy Sakuragi recalled his first conference with the Purefoods franchise where he met Guiao’s Red Bull in the finals.
“Grabe pang-iinsulto niya sa’kin. Sisigawan ka, mumurahin ka. First year ko siyempre nawawala ‘yung laro ko sa pambu-bully niya sa’kin. Talo kami nun,” he said.
The trash talking even extended to name-calling.
“The following season, kami uli nagharap sa All-Filipino conference. Same thing. Sasabihan ka ng Babalu o Tisoy,” he said.
Next time they faced, though, Pingris knew how to deal with it.
“Nung second year, nadala na rin ako. Hindi na ako nagre-react, “ he said.
He added: “Niloloko ko na lang, pag na-foul ko Red Bull dati at hindi tumawag referees mas naaasar si Coach Yeng. Sasabihan ko 'yan, ‘Coach Yeng, pagalitan mo mga referees.’”
But both Miller and Pingris knew that’s part of Guiao’s unique on-court personality. They didn’t take the “psy war” personal.
In fact, when asked if, given a chance, would he play for Guiao, Pingris was quick to answer in the affirmative.
Miller shared a similar sentiment.
“Favorite na coach ko ‘to. No. 1 and 2 sila ni coach Tim Cone. Pareho yan. English Tagalog lang,” he said.
Watch the full video below:
(GM)