Coach Yeng highlights importance of "sixth man"

Junemar Fajardo could not help but scratch his head when Gilas failed to impress the crowd on Friday night. Rick Johnsen Dela Cruz (file photo)
By Renee Ticzon

MANILA – After falling short against Kazakhstan, Coach Yeng Guiao reassures fans that the team is getting ready and preparing their hardest to give the Philippines another win.

The team struggled defensively in their match, allowing their opponents to create opportunities that helped build the 92-88 shocker.

However, Guiao mentioned how important it is for the team to have Filipino fans cheering them on regardless of the outcome.

He said that this served as extra motivation for his players to perform better in the international scene.

“Gusto natin, mapasaya yung mga supporters natin, so we will certainly try harder and make adjustments from the mistakes that we made the last time,” said Guiao on Saturday night during Gilas practice at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Despite the loss, Coach Yeng refuses to give up.

He knows that winning the game against Iran would keep them in the running.

When asked about their next game, Coach Yeng says the team is focused on taking it home. A win for this game would allow them to move closer to their objective of getting back into the World Cup, putting Gilas in a tie for second in Group F.

He said that the team has made all the necessary adjustments, and is prepared to face Iran.

He expects the team to play with their heart and take each match one game at a time.

“That’s going to be our objective: to make those people who will support us go home happy than the way they went home last time,” Guiao vowed

With a report from Yann Magcamit from Pasay

Follow her on Twitter: @rntczn