YENG Guiao was more than happy to accommodate the delegation from Kai Sotto’s Japan ballclub Koshigaya Alphas led by head coach Ryuzo Anzai which observed Rain or Shine's practice and exchange ideas with him in their Manila visit.

Guiao said the visit was made possible by Sotto’s father Ervin, who used to be part of his coaching staff back when he was still at NLEX.

“Kai is doing his rehab so he is doing it here. Kinontak kami ni Ervin. Ervin was my assistant in NLEX. Nandito ‘yung Japanese coach ni Kai. Siyempre, lahat naman ng coaches, they want to experience ‘yung iba-ibang sistema, iba-ibang styles ng ibang coaches. So they asked if they could attend our practice,” Guiao said.

“Sabi ko, walang problema naman. Basta naman hindi competition, okay lang. Kahit sino naman, puwedeng manood. Huwag lang ‘yung direct competition. So sabi ko, sige, you can watch,” said Guiao.

Guiao said Anzai later asked if they can also watch ROS' game against Magnolia even though the match was held outside Metro Manila, specifically in Montalban, Rizal. He said yes to that, too.

“Dumating sila sa practice and then sabi nila, gusto nila manood ng laro. Sabi ko, okay lang. Ma-experience nila ‘yung local basketball natin,” said Guiao.

PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

Guiao said Kai used to take part in NLEX practices to get himself in shape.

“Even Kai, when I was in NLEX, he was playing with our team before he went abroad, pampakundisyon siya. So I think they felt comfortable being former associates, ‘yung tatay niya and at the same time, dati naman siyang nakikipaglaro sa team ko,” said Guiao.

Following its promotion to Division 1, Koshigaya finished sixth in the East division with a 19-41 record to miss the playoffs. During the 2024-25 season, the Alphas dealt with the absence of Sotto, who suffered an ACL tear last January.

There is actually one specific reason why Anzai wanted to observe Guiao in practice and in games.

“Si Coach Anzai, kinukuwento nila Kai at saka ni Ervin, kaya daw gustong makita ‘yung practice or laro namin dahil medyo pareho kami ng temperament,” said Guiao with a smile.

“Ganun din daw siya. So sabi ko, birds of the same feather flock together talaga. Kaya medyo maganda ‘yung kuwentuhan namin,” he added.

Guiao said he came to know from Ervin that Japanese players can be sensitive at times when being called out by a coach, so the seven-time PBA champion coach was open in sharing with Anzai how he deals with his own players.

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

“Sinasabi ko, ‘yung sikreto, sabi ko, kasi magagalit ‘yung players nila kapag hindi nila alam ‘yung ma-eexpect nila. So ako, sabi ko, once we sign them, they know what they’re in for, sabi ko," said the veteran coach.

"Kasi kinukuwento ni Ervin noon na minsan, ‘yung mga players nila sa Japan, nagtatampo. Sabi ko, para hindi magtampo, dapat alam na nila kaagad kung ano ‘yung pinapasukan nila. So management of expectations lang talaga.”

Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph