EXACTLY three decades of coaching in the PBA had Yeng Guiao working alongside several of the finest players ever produced by Asia's pioneering pro league.
But among them, there are those who stood out the most.
Pondering on his career that began with expansion franchise RFM in 1990, Guiao mentioned five of the top players he coached in the league during a recent question and answer webinar presented by Hoop Coaches International and Blackwater.
Guaio named the players not by random on how great they were.
"Siguro si Vergel (Meneses). He is very talented," said the current coach and basketball operations manager of NLEX.
Elaborating on the high-flying wingman who is now mayor of Bulakan, Bulacan, Guiao considers Meneses among the greatest one-on-one players of all time.
Sponsored content:
"You just give him the ball, and not settle for any plays. He'll make you look good," the 61-year-old coach said of Meneses.
He also mentioned Nelson Asaytono, a teammate of Meneses with Swift early in Guiao's career, and the enigmatic Willie Miller.
"Then siguro si Nelson, and I've already said numerous times, si Willie Miller," Guiao said.
Two young players still active in the league were mentioned by the former Pampanga congressman as part of his list.
"Ngayon si Kiefer (Ravena) and then si Paul (Lee)," said Guiao.
Sponsored content:
The NLEX coach won seven of his PBA championships in teams that had Meneses, Asaytono, Miller, and Lee as star players.
Meneses and Miller went on to become MVPs while Asaytono and Lee were also consistent contenders for the league's highest individual award.
There were a lot more other players according to Guiao.
"Ang hirap, kasi I'll be unfair to a lot of my good players. So pagpasensiyahan na lang nila," he said.
Junthy Valenzuela, Kerby Raymundo, Cyrus Baguio, Enrico Villanueva, Jimwell Torion were among those Guiao also mentioned. (RG)
