Rain or Shine head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao believes the level of competition in the PBA could be limiting the development of Filipino basketball players, pointing to the small number of teams he sees as consistent championship contenders.
In an interview with DWAR Abante Radyo’s “BASKETBOLAN: Noon at Ngayon”, Guiao compared the Philippine league with basketball competitions in Japan and South Korea, where he said more teams regularly compete at a high level.
“Tayo-tayo rin magkikita sa championship,” Guiao said, describing the PBA’s championship picture.
He cited the Korean Basketball League, which has only 10 teams but, according to Guiao, maintains a highly competitive environment throughout the league.
“The KBL 10 teams lang eh, pero sa 10 team na ‘yun, lahat sila competitive, patayan sila dun. Sa atin, apat lang na team ang magpapalitan diyan halos, so ang tawag ko rito is inbreeding,” he said.
Guiao used the term “inbreeding” to describe what he sees as a limited competitive pool, arguing that players and teams may have fewer opportunities to face different high-level opponents.
“Kapag ang competition kasi between three and four teams, nagiging inbreed kayo. Kapag nag-inbreed kayo, lumiliit iyung gene pool ninyo,” Guiao said.
He added that a league with only a handful of teams regularly challenging for championships could eventually affect the quality of player development.
“Kaya ka nababansot eh,” Guiao said. “Which is iyan ang mangyayari sa PBA. Kung tatlo, dalawa, o apat na team lang ang puwedeng mag-champion.”
Guiao contrasted that situation with the KBL and Japan’s B.League, noting the larger number of teams competing at a high level.
“Si KBL, 10 team. Competitive lahat iyan. Bakbakan lahat diyan. Gagaling ka talaga. ‘Di ba? Kasi ang dami mong kalaban eh,” he said.
From a coaching perspective, Guiao said facing more capable opponents forces teams to continually make adjustments and improve.
“From a coaching standpoint, ang dami kong dapat isipin, ang dami kong dapat i-improve, kasi ang dami kong kalaban at a high level,” he said.
Guiao pointed to Japan’s Division 1, which he said has 26 teams capable of competing for victories.
“Si Japan, 26 sa Division 1 teams. Lahat iyun gustong manalo at may kakayanang manalo,” he said.
He then returned to his central question about player development in the PBA.
“Compare mo iyan sa apat na team sa PBA, 26 teams nagbabakbakan, 10 teams nagbabakbakan. Saan mag-i-improve iyung player? Saan mag-i-improve yung player?” he said. (Adrian Co)
