Looks like NLEX assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa will continue to call the shots for the Road Warriors.
Although head coach Yeng Guiao will arrive in time for the team's match against San Miguel on Saturday, Lastimosa bared he will still call the shots for that game.
Guiao is currently handling the Philippine team in the 18th Asian Games where they will take on Syria to salvage a fifth place on Friday.
"Coach Yeng said he's coming in but he's not coaching," Lastimosa said after NLEX's 116-104 win over Columbian Dyip on Wednesday.
It's easy to understand why Guiao is letting Lastimosa call the shots for the meantime. Under Lastimosa, the Road Warriors got off to a 3-1 start while Guiao is with Gilas Pilipinas in Indonesia.
NLEX was 2-1 with import Olu Ashaolu, who played despite having practically one leg after sustaining knee injury during a tuneup game before the conference. Aaron Fuller replaced Ashaolu, but the Road Warriors kept their winning ways going.
Handling NLEX, though, meant Lastimosa had to sit out Bataan's match in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The PBA legend is the head coach of the Risers, who will go up against Makati in General Santos City on Saturday.
"I have to forego the game in Gensan," he said.
It is also likely he will continue to call the shots beyond the match against the Beermen. Guiao, tasked to lead the national team in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, said they will begin preparations on Monday.
The Philippines is scheduled to square off with Iran on September 13 in Tehran. Four days later, the Filipino cagers take on Qatar in Manila behind closed doors.
Lastimosa admitted it was a tough situation for him. But he's ready to take on the challenge nonetheless.
"It's hard coaching two teams... it's a tough job even with one, but having two at the same time seems tougher," he said.