Kris Porter played for Yeng Guiao at NLEX in 2018. Years later, Porter joins the multi-titled mentor at Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
It was a convenient reunion for Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and Kris Porter.
Porter made his PBA comeback official on Wednesday, May 28 when he signed with the Elasto Painters, whose coach drafted him in the 2018 PBA Draft.
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Guiao was still with the NLEX Road Warriors then.
This familiarity gives Guiao the confidence Porter will have no problem blending in as Beau Belga’s replacement after the latter was placed on the unrestricted free agent list indefinitely due to vertigo.
“So si Kris Porter sinign namin basically to have another big body na pwedeng pang match up sa malalaki rin,” Guiao said after Rain or Shine’s 109-99 win over Phoenix.
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He added in a jocular fashion: “Gusto namin yung mga may itsura din. Bawal pangit dito sa Rain or Shine so may advantage siya ro'n.”
Turning serious, the fiery mentor said the former Ateneo big man has been training with the team the past few days.
“Nagpa-practice na siya ng ilang araw. Dati ko namang player siya sa NLEX. He knows me. I know him. So I don’t think magkakaron ng problema sa blending niya sa team,” said Guiao.