We have to move on – Guiao

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 29 Feb 2020 06:25:27 +0000

BY WAYLON GALVEZ

YENG GUIAO

Hours before the formal announcement of the approved three-team trade, NLEX conducted its meet and greet for its fans and among the players present at the event was Poy Erram.

The 6-foot-9 center, of course, was the centerpiece of the trade. Even before the Road Warriors could finish the annual gathering, the team received the news of the trade approval.

“Malungkot kami,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.  “We have really high expectations this conference with Poy as a important part when we start our campaign this season. But losing the best big man, we have to manage our goals and expectations.”

“Now we can just move forward. We can still play a good season, we can still contend… but it’s going to be harder,” said Guiao.

NLEX obtained the services of Erram in a trade prior to last season in a trade with Blackwater, and it gave the Road Warriors a legitimate center – someone that Guiao had hopes for to make them a serious playoff contender.

Although the team struggled due to the injury of guard Kevin Alas and the FIBA-sanctioned suspension of Kiefer Ravena, Erram was able to progress under Guiao’s system as the top center of NLEX.

POY Erram

This upcoming 45th PBA Season, Guiao feels they are more ready specially in the season opening Philippine Cup with Erram’s improvement plus the return of both Ravena and Alas.

“From last year when we got him, we got him to where we wanted him. Mentally he’s more ready this year than last year,” said Guiao, who is entering his third year with the Road Warriors.

The latest three-team trade had Erram going back to TNT KaTropa, NLEX’s sister team, which originally selected the former Ateneo player during the 2013 Rookie Draft, while Blackwater received Ed Daquioag, Marion Magat and Yousef Taha plus two future first round picks.

NLEX, for its part, obtained Blackwater’s Anthony Semerad and center Rabeh Al Hussaini, as well as the team’s first round selection this year and a second round pick in 2021.

Semerad
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