MANILA, Philippines — Air21 team manager Allan Gregorio said he plans to talk to the owners of the team to ask them to extend the contract of coach Yeng Guiao until the end of the 36th PBA season.
Guiao’s contract ends this Friday but until Wednesday, Guiao said he has not heard word from Air21 regarding contract extention.
But during the PBA Press Corp Christmas party held Tuesday night at the PBA office, Gregorio told newsmen that he would like Guiao to handle the team until the end of the season.
“We will recommend to the management that we extend the contract of coach Yeng,” said Gregorio.
Guiao, 51, however, said he has no knowledge of plans to extend his coaching contract as he has not talked with Air21 management since their Philippine Cup quarterfinal game against San Miguel Beer last December 19 which the Express lost.
“Wala pa, hindi pa kami nag-uusap,” said Guiao, who is also the Pampanga Vice Governor, in a phone interview. “Of course, the natural choice is kung gusto pa ba nila ako, why not?”
“But up to now, wala pa kami napag-uusapan. So mag-iisip ka din,” Guiao said.
Guiao had the fortune of having the top three picks in this year’s draft – Noy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra– in his team. But it was not certain whether Air 21 officials were satisfied with the team’s quarterfinal appearance considering the potential of the picks.
Guiao, a former national coach, started handling Air21 in 2008 when he replaced Bo Perasol.
Guiao admitted there were some ball clubs inquiring about his availability although he did not name them.
“But I can’t say that these are offers because there are no solid offers actually,” he said.
Guiao said he would like to return as coach if the Express management wants him back.
Meanwhile, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud confirmed that there will be a meeting of team owners on Jan. 25 at the Club Filipino in San Juan.
Top on the agenda is the building of the PBA coliseum, the TV coveror and the national team.
Expected to attend are San Miguel Corps. President Ramon Ang, Manny V. Pangilinan of Talk N’ Text and Meralco, Rain or Shine’s Terry Que and Raymund Yu, George Chua of Barako Bull, Bert Lina of Air21, JB Baylon of Powerade and Fred Uytengsu of Alaska.
“I have talked to each one of them, and all of them have agreed (to attend),” Salud said. “It’s the first meeting for the team owners in so many years. I really see it as affirmation of their strong interest and concern to see to it that the PBA goes to the next level in terms of living up to the expectation of its fans.”
“Definitely (it’s) a positive message of their continued commitment,” Salud said.
The pro league is planning to build its own coliseum, while the contract of its current TV coveror Solar Sports will expire after the season.
The PBA has also loaned three players – Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and Sol Mercado – to the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games in China, and there’s a possibility of professional players reinforcing the team again in the FIBA-Asia championship, the qualifying meet for the 2012 London Olympics.
Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
