MANILA, Philippines – Burger King is hoping that the Mikee Romero-Yeng Guiao tandem could do wonders for the team in the upcoming Motolite Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.

Formerly known as the Air21 Express, the franchise changed its name to Burger King in time for the import-laced Fiesta Conference.

Romero will be the team’s alternate governor in the PBA board while Guiao will call the shots at the sidelines as they hope to form a competitive unit ready to go up against the league’s top squads.

“We each have a winning tradition to uphold. Both of us know we could translate it to success for Burger King," said Romero.

“When you are fighting a war, you would like the best and the bravest general to be by your side at all times. And coach Yeng is that general and I am very excited to work with him in the PBA," said Romero, who also tapped Erick Arejola as the team manager.

Romero said Guiao’s style is a perfect fit in Burger King’s system. “Coach Yeng brings in an exciting, innovative and no-nonsense kind of coaching style. We anticipate great things for our franchise with him."

Guiao said he and his coaching staff just wanted to continue the group’s winning tradition. “Mr. Romero and his organization are winners, a class act to follow and to be part of that is a privilege in itself."

You could hardly miss Romero’s achievements in the amateur basketball scene. His Harbour Centre Batang Pier won a record sixth straight title and has been the gauge for other teams in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

He also bankrolled the Philippine team that won the gold medals in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Ratchasima, Thailand and in the 2007 Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Guiao also has his share of success in the PBA. He is currently tied at fifth with Dante Silverio in the PBA’s all-time best coaches list and Burger King will be his fourth PBA team after Swift, Pepsi/Mobiline and Red Bull.

Both Romero and Guiao, who is also tasked to coach the PBA-backed national team for the FIBA world championship in China this year, hail from Pampanga where the latter is the province’s vice governor.

Air21 joined the PBA after buying the Tanduay franchise in 2001 where they carried the FedEx Express name. They changed it to Air21 in 2005 until 2008 where they entered the Fiesta Conference finals only to lose to Barangay Ginebra in seven games.


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/148526/Romero-Guiao-aim-to-reverse-Burger-Kings-PBA-fortunes