Nationals enjoy 1st taste of coach Yeng’s system

Twelve of the 14-man RP-PBA team had their first taste Monday of the dynamic simplicity of the system national coach Yeng Guiao is bringing in as Training Day commenced for the squad tasked with qualifying to the 2010 World Championship in Istanbul.

And judging from the way Asi Taulava waded into the philosophy – based largely on making the right decision at the right time – and the manner by which Jayjay Helterbrand, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller and Jared Dillinger – players reared on coaching principles that are vastly different – jumped into the fray with bright eyes and ear-to-ear grins, it would seem everybody had a great time at The Arena in San Juan.

Also attending Day One of the every-Monday practice were Sonny Thoss, Kerby Raymundo, Mick Pennisi, Cyrus Baguio, Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Gabe Norwood.

James Yap, Raymundo's Purefoods teammate, was nursing a slight cough and watched from the bench, while Kelly Williams of Sta. Lucia Realty, who suffered an eye injury during a recent game, sent word he won't be able to make it.

With Guiao were assistant coaches Gee Abanilla and Roehl Nadurata, and RP team manager Tony Chua. PBA commissioner Renauld 'Sonny' Barrios, who welcomed the players at mid-court before the team went through basic 3-on-3 drills, supervised practice with league operations and technical chief Rickie Santos.

"We'll just be breaking the ice, just make us be familiar with each other," said Guiao, who addressed a concern not only of the players but their mother teams as well. "Everything's gonna be light. We're not gonna burn you out. We're not gonna overextend you, guys. We just wanna be able to practice the skills that you'll need in order to execute our offense."

While acknowledging the individual talent and skills of each player, Guiao explained that "specific adjustments" will be needed to suit "specific plays." "For example, the big men will have to learn to shoot the ball from the elbow," he said. "We'll also run a lot of pick-and-rolls and drive-and-kicks so the guards will have to hit it in a catch-and-shoot situation."

There were no scowls, no snarls, no daggers looks – at least not yet – from the multi-titled coach known for his motivational expertise as much as for his penchant for chewing referees and opposing players who get in the way. Instead, there was much cajoling, and coaxing, and charming – the way they do in college ball.

Guiao urged the six-foot-nine Taulava to take it strong to the hoop from the free throw line, cross-over dribbling in the process. He whooped when Helterbrand essayed a shake-and-bake and then pulled up for a 16-footer. And he howled when Thoss, momentarily shaken loose from the rigidity of the Triangle Offense, went one-on-one with his man, displaying some moves that made Miller, his Alaska teammate, swoon.

Overall, the one hour session came off as a cross between free-flowing playground basketball and an organized, quick-thinking game, with Guiao exhorting his team to make a decision – whether to attack, pull back or pass off – and then act on it.

If a sense of uncertainty, even discomfort, prevailed before the Nationals' first session, there were only laughter and good-natured ribbing afterward. Even Guiao couldn't resist needling Mick Pennisi, a former player with Red Bull now with San Miguel.

Stressing the importance of becoming comfortable with his system, and expressing his faith in them, Guiao told the hushed players: "With your talent, guys, and with your intelligence…not you, Mick..." The deadpan turned Pennisi's face red and brought a subdued snicker from a delighted Taulava. Guiao then moved to the crux of his philosophy. "Remember, in this team, there's not one, two, or three guys that are gonna be responsible in winning games. We will not let one guy take over the game and ask him to carry this team on his shoulders and win the game for us," he said.

"Everybody's responsible. Nobody has to score 30 points for this team to win. All you guys need to do is to take the open shots, look for your open teammates, ran the patterns, and make good decisions. That's it. That's how we're gonna win."

A team captain, Guiao said, will be chosen after two or three practices. "Among yourselves," he told his players, "somebody has to exercise some leadership. You have to recognize somebody as your team leader. If you wanna be team captain, go for it, campaign, don't be shy about it."