COACH Yeng Guiao was right all along.
He once called out now retired Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu after then Mahindra playing-coach Manny Pacquiao scored his first ever basket in the PBA with a corner three-pointer during their Philippine Cup game in 2015.
"You will forever be posterized," Guiao, now with NLEX but was coach of the Elasto Painters back then, told Tiu during the team's huddle at halftime.
The outspoken coach was spot on as Pacquiao considered the moment as the most memorable experience of his brief playing career in Asia's pioneering pro league.
"Pinaka-magandang experience ko sa paglalaro sa PBA yung naka-shoot ako ng three points," the 42-year-old boxing great now senator told former league Commissioner Noli Eala in the Power&Play radio show.
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Pacquiao drained his first ever career field goal at the 10 minute mark of the second quarter, making the basket over the outstretched arm of Tiu to give his team a 27-25 lead.
The Elasto Painters though ended up winning the game over the Enforcers, 108-94.
Guiao later admitted berating his team for allowing the eight-time world division champion to score his first PBA field goal at Rain or Shine's expense.
But the veteran coach also acknowledged the ring icon could play ball.
"If you leave him open, he can really make shots," said Guiao.
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Pacquiao would again score on a three-pointer in Mahindra's Governors' Cup match up against Blackwater in 2016, shooting over big man Kyle Pascual in a game the Enforcers won, 97-88.
The one against Tiu however, will always be the one that stood out for the Pacman, who was part of the KIA franchise as playing-coach from 2014-16. (RG)
