Yeng Guiao takes over as Gilas coach for suspended Chot Reyes

Yeng Guiao will take over as coach of the Philippine team aiming to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in lieu of Chot Reyes, who has been suspended from competition

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio confirmed the development on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Guiao is coaching the national team in the Asian Games basketball tournament.

Gilas Pilipinas resumes its qualifying journey on September 13 against regional powerhouse Iran to open the second round of the competition. It will host Qatar on September 17 for the two-game window. Guiao will coach the national team for both games.

Reyes given a one-game ban for his role in the bench-clearing brawl involving the Philippines and Australia last month. He was also fined CHF 10,000 (about P534,888.31) for inciting unsportsmanlike behavior.

Ten Gilas players also received bans:

• Calvin Abueva (6 games)
• Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz and Jio Jalalon (5 games each)
• Terence Romeo, Jayson Castro William, Andray Blatche and Jeth Rosario (3 games each)
• Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright (1 game each)

Gilas assistant coach Jong Uichico was also suspended for three games for unsportsmanlike behavior.

The lineup for the national team under Guiao has not yet been finalized. —JST, GMA News