The former manager of the Philippines’ men’s national basketball team, Yeng Guiao, has appeared to claim that Australian and New Zealand teams should not play in the same competitions as the Philippines because he believes players from those countries have ‘a natural advantage in genetics’.

Australia clinched their third successive FIBA Asia Cup title last week, beating China by one point in what was a nerve-shredding final.

The Philippines were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the tournament by the Boomers, with the Gilas, who are now coached by American Tim Cone, suffering an 84-60 defeat.

But their former coach, Guiao, who took charge of the team between 2018 and 2019, appeared to claim according to the Philippine Star, that the Kiwis and Aussies should not be playing in the same zone as the Philippines.

’Australia and New Zealand shouldn’t be playing in our zone,’ Guiao, who now coaches the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, said according to the Philippine Star.

‘They have a natural advantage in genetics.

The former coach of the Philippines men’s national side, Yeng Guiao (pictured) has appeared to make a shock claim that Australia and New Zealand should not compete in the FIBA Asian Cup

It came after Australia claimed their third straight title at the tournament last week 

 ‘They should be playing in some other zone, not in Asia.

‘It’s tough enough to beat Japan, Korea, Iran, Jordan, Chinese-Taipei, China and Lebanon but we can beat them.’

There is no basis in fact to prove that Guiao’s claim is correct.

The former Philippines coach, who has also worked as the Philippine Basketball League commissioner, admitted that while he wasn’t too disappointed by the quarter-final defeat by the Boomers, it was disappointing to suffer a loss against Chinese Taipei in the group stages.

Guiao has also been impressed by the work of coach Cone, who notably led the side to winning gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

‘Coach Tim has his own style and his track record of success is evident,’ Guiao said, per the Philippine Star.

‘The triangle and playing a short rotation are two things he’s known for; it’s his brand. He proved what we can do by winning gold at the Asian Games. 

‘Let’s rally behind him and not be critical.’

The Philippines have been playing well under current coach Tim Cone, who led them to Asian Games glory n Hangzhou in 2022

Interestingly, he also went on to admit it was important for the Philippines to continue playing top sides.

He added: ‘Trending in the international game are shooting threes, playing with pace and space, scoring in transition.

‘If your opponent plays fast, you have to play faster. It’s also about developing basketball IQ and we can do it if we continue to play together.

‘The important thing is we keep playing teams like Australia and New Zealand to get better.’