“No open sea training,” so said veteran basketball coach Yeng Guiao even as he expressed support for the government to regulate the sports coaching profession.
“Personally, I support that. Kailangan po natin ng legislation hindi lamang po sa basketball (kundi) pati na sa lahat ng sports,” Guiao said.
Guiao made his remarks in view of the recent drowning of two basketball players of Ateneo de Manila University in a radio/TV interview Friday.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio has made the call following the recent death of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili in a “team building activity” in Dipaculao, Aurora on June 8, 2026.
“We will push for a law, regulating the coaching profession, including the establishment of a national registry, mandatory licenses certification, and continuing professional development requirements for coaches and sports professionals,” Gregorio said in a statement.
“We should prohibit aqua training in an open sea. We (in the team) conduct water training, but in a controlled environment, never po sa dagat at ginagawa po namin yan sa swimming pool, and even in the swimming pool, it should be well supervised,” Guiao said.
Guiao is one of the prolific basketball coaches in the Philippines credited with various championships. He is the current head coach of Rain or Shine Elastopainters in the PBA. He also played varsity basketball for the University of the Philippines.
In one statement, the ADMU said “the team was engaged in a conditioning exercise in knee-deep water near the shoreline when they were suddenly engulfed by massive waves and a powerful rip current.”
Guiao said government regulatory measures should contain protocols on safety in all sports, whether professional, amateur, and even grassroots level.
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