HOPING FOR THE BEST, BUT READY FOR WHATEVER HAPPENS
This early, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is preparing for the worst.
Already in a shaky situation with rumors of Paul Lee demanding a trade, the feisty bench tactician calmed the tides in their fort and selected Kevin Alas as the second pick in the 2014 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft.
“We took Kevin Alas because we know he’s a talented player. We know he has a basketball IQ that is above average. Alam din namin na scorer sya and he’s a take charge guy,” Guiao said of his prized recruit.
“Also, with the situation with Paul Lee, yung mga uncertainties namin dun, yung role ni Kevin will be significant just in case we’re not able to sign up Paul. He will play a big role in the team. Even if we sign up Paul, we think Kevin Alas and Paul Lee in the backcourt is an explosive combination, so either way maganda. Yun ang reason,” he said. “We’re just getting ready for some eventualities and if those eventualities don’t happen, mas maganda para sa amin.”
Guiao also gave a glimpse of their situation with Lee, as he said, “We’re still clarifying things, nililiwanag namin. Ang hirap kasi, wala dito si Paul. I only had one conversation with him on Saturday. Nag-confirm lang sya na gusto nya mag-request ng trade, pero di ako lubusang naliwanagan sa mga reasons.”
Obviously disappointed with the developments, Guiao said that he sees no reason why Paul Lee would opt to go elsewhere.
“Sabi ko kay Paul, maganda naman yung samahan ng team, para kaming pamilya. It was with Rain or Shine that he was Rookie of the Year. It is with Rain or Shine that we won a championship. Also, we are perennial contenders for the title. Also, he became a national player with Rain or Shine. And we gave him the maximum contract. So ano pa ba ang kailangan para mag-stay sya? Wala kaming problema. Maganda yung salary proposal namin which is the maximum. Nagtataka lang kami kung bakit ayaw pa pumirma ni Paul.”
Guiao also said that what’s stalling their communication is that the 6-foot guard is currently in Spain with Gilas Pilipinas for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but the coach says he is willing to wait for the international competitions to be done before he gets to talk with the Lee-thal Weapon.
“The problem now is it’s hard to communicate. And also, we want him to concentrate on his play with the national team. Wala namang problema. We can wait until he comes back. We retain the rights to him naman anyway after August 31 pag-expire ng contract nya,” Guiao said. “Ang sabi lang nya, he will pay his respects and he will personally talk to the owners and myself pagbalik nya. Di ako masyadong naliwanagan sa explanation nya. Actually, napaka-vague. Ayoko naman syang pilitin. Meron bang nangyayari na di natin alam? Si Paul lang ang makakapagsabi nyan.”
“After August 31 lang sya pwede makipagusap sa ibang teams. Pero hanggang di kami pumapayag, we control the trade. Kung hindi namin sya papayagang ma-trade, obligado sya maglaro sa amin. Pero meron kaming rule sa team – kung ayaw mo na maglaro dito, di ka namin pipilitin. Ayaw naming pilitin si Paul kung ayaw nya maglaro,” Guiao added.
“I know that Paul has his reasons na sya lang nakakaalam sa ngayon. Iniintindi ko naman na ayokong pilitin na ilabas nya yung mga yun. Nasa sa kanya na lang yun pagdating nya. I’m sure he cares a lot for the team. Pero baka merong ibang considerations na di natin alam. Di ko masasagot yun.”
The Elasto Painters coach also said that everybody in the team wants Lee back, saying, “All of us in the team wants to retain Paul. Pamilya namin sya eh. Napakalaki ng role nya sa team namin. Ready din kami pag may ibang mangyari. Pero Paul is well-liked in the team. Bakit di namin ie-exhaust yung lahat ng paraan para ma-retain sya?”
Guiao still said that he is hoping Lee can clear his mind and assess his situation, and when that happens, he is expecting the “Angas ng Tundo” to return to the Rain or Shine camp.
“Of course, we want him to stay. You can change your mind. Mabait na bata si Paul. It is not in his character to be rebellious or anything like that. Nanggaling sya sa disenteng pamilya. If ever, pag nagkaayusan yan, he’ll be back in playing his best again.” (RL)
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