COACHES have to evolve and adapt to the winds of change.
Rain or Shine veteran strategist Yeng Guiao stressed this amid the new rules that affect the style of play in today’s game.
“Unang-una nag-iiba iyong rules. Kapag nag-iiba ang rules, nag-iiba rin iyong style of play. I think noon, maraming isolation plays, imports and star players can score a lot of points, noon na-set iyong mga scoring record like kay Tony Harris because that was one-sided,” Guiao said. “Ngayon ang hirap umiskor ng 40 or 50, ang hirap nang gawin noon ngayon. It can still be done but with the style of play and with the rules, medyo mas mahirap na.
“Then, it’s the pace of the game. I think mas mabilis iyong laro ngayon. Kasi nag-e-evolve na rin iyong mga skill ng mga player,” he added.
While Guiao, 66, has won seven titles in the PBA in a 35-year stint, he maintained the importance of keeping abreast with how the sport is being played these days, more fast-paced and complicated.
“I think the players are, of course, they are getting bigger, they’re getting more athletic so nag-aadjust na rin iyong mga sistema ng coaches,” Guiao said.
“So, I keep saying na kung ano iyong coaching style ko or kung ano iyong alam ko five or 10 years ago, hindi mo na puwedeng gamitin ngayon, you have to evolve and also adapt.”
Being knowledgeable of technological advancements should hold the key for Guiao and his fellow tacticians.
“You have to find ways to be competitive from the coaching aspect,” he said. “Kapag hindi ka nag-improve, hindi ka nag-adjust, hindi ka nag-aral, maiiwan ka na sa technology.”
