Source: Guiao firm about leaving Red Bull position

MANILA, Philippines - Yeng Guiao doesn't see himself returning to coach Red Bull even if team officials have pleaded him to do so, GMANews.TV learned on Monday. Guiao, who quit from Red Bull Saturday night, had been asked by team manager Tony Chua to reconsider his decision. But a source close to Guiao said that the coach was no longer interested to handle a team that has no direction. "Coach has done a lot for the Red Bull," the source said. "As a coach, you want to win. But how can he do that without the materials. You may be the best coach in the world but that doesn't matter if you don't have the right players. Red Bull nor Guiao has not issue any official statement, but it was learned that Guiao had already submitted his resignation letter to team management in a meeting Saturday. Guiao rewarded the Bulls with three championships – the Commissioner's Cup in 2002 and 2003 and then the Fiesta Conference title in the 2005-06 season. He also steered Red Bull to seven consecutive semifinals appearances, a league record. Coca-Cola interested? Among those eager to hire Guiao's services is Coca-Cola, one of the teams that was eliminated from the KFC Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup. "Coca-Cola is one of the teams that has already inquired for Guiao's availability," the source added. "As for the other two, I simply cannot name them at this point in time." Coca-Cola, which sacked head coach Binky Favis after winning only one game in its first four matches, ended up with a 7-11 (win-loss) record after the 18-game elimination round. Kenneth Duremdes took Favis' place on an interim basis and finished 6-9 the rest of the way. Guiao's decision to quit from Red Bull was triggered allegedly when the team decided to let go of RP team member Cyrus Baguio and playmaker Celino Cruz to Air21 in exchange for mere first-round picks in 2011 and 2012. But before that, Red Bull was already giving away star players. It began when it released Enrico Villanueva, Lordy Tugade, Junthy Valenzuela, Larry Fonacier, Topex Robinson and Mick Pennisi in a span of two seasons – the core of a ball club that beat Purefoods in six games for the Fiesta Conference crown in 2005-06. The Bulls finished dead last in the ongoing tournament, winning only five games with 13 setbacks. It was the first time that Red Bull ended up last in nine conferences or since the 2004-05 Fiesta Cup. - GMANews.TV