Guiao's niche in coaching

IT'S been two years since Yeng Guiao returned to coach Rain or Shine, a franchise which he led to two PBA championships.

And from the way things are going, it appear that the veteran bench tactician and his new breed of Elasto Painters are playing beautiful music together.

This young, exciting, fast-paced team is a joy to watch and so far, these positive vibes had catapulted the Elasto Painters into the semifinal round for the third straight conference.

Guiao believes the team can accomplish much more.

"We're on track," said Guiao. "I'm happy with the development. But we're not considered young anymore and we don't want to be identified as still a young team. Our identity the past two years of being a young team is already a thing of the past."

He said the team is no longer in the buildup stage.

"After being together for two-and-a-half years, we should have matured. We don't want to make it as an excuse that we're a young team. We need to really perform at the highest level as possible. We should be wiser, more experienced," he said.

The Rain or Shine evolution is off to a good start since Guiao returned to the Elasto Painters' fold.

In the past, Guiao's teams had been consistent playoff performers and in his first 13 conferences as coach of the Elasto Painters from 2011 to 2016, he steered the squad to 10 semifinals appearances, six finals runs and two titles.

Guiao isn't looking far ahead whether his team can replicate the same success the previous Rain or Shine teams he handled as he is more focused on the continues improvement of his current squad.

But if there's one good thing about this new generation of Elasto Painters, they have an opportunity to learn more as Guiao won't be the only one to bring in that winning culture.

Two of the remnants of their champion teams are still playing and about to wind down their respective careers — Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga.

A many-time All-Defensive Team member, who served the national team multiple times, Norwood has embraced a bigger, more challenging role as playing assistant coach.

Regarded as a journeyman in the early phase of his career, Belga blossomed to stardom while playing under Guiao's system and since then, he has proven his loyalty for the Elasto Painters and stayed here for good.

Belga's path of being a marginal player to becoming an integral part of Rain or Shine's system is the similar path up and coming stars like Jhonard Clarito and spitfire guard Adrian Nocum are taking.

A player who barely cracks the regular roster in the past, Clarito's star shone the brightest last season when he won the Most Improved Player award.

Nocum, selected 24th overall during the PBA's 48th season, was another big steal for the Elasto Painters and since then proved that he's such a gem for the franchise.

Guiao is more than happy to rediscover his niche in the big league — and that happened when he had his homecoming with Rain or Shine.

"There's a purpose for me that's why I'm still coaching. This is my niche, coaching an independent team with limited resources. We tried to be ethical in our practice and stayed competitive," said Guiao, who felt proud that he alongside with fellow old timers like Tim Cone and Chot Reyes are still actively calling the shots on the sidelines.

Guiao even takes pride of his role even at times when he's the lone voice in the wilderness, being vocal whenever he sees some irregularities and not shying away from expressing his opinions.

"Maybe the reason why I'm still here is to fight for the principles that are fitted to the kind of role you are playing. I'm happy to represent an independent team. I'm happy to be the underdog and I'm happy to figure out ways just to be competitive," he added.

"I even take pride and happy at the fact that sometimes, I am the only voice speaking. Sometimes, there would be bashers, but what matters to me the most is my opinion. Opinion of those people who I don't know won't matter to me. But there are certain people whose criticisms I respect more and value because I know those people who criticize me are after my own good, not just to put me down. They have good intentions. I value them more than those people whom you know very well, but are just using you."