JAKARTA, Indonesia — Yeng Guiao is a perfect example of a true Filipino underdog.

In close to three decades of professional coaching, he never marched into battle with a star-studded team. He’s more comfortable fielding in role players who will die for rebounds and dive for loose balls.

Yes, he had the country’s most explosive import in Tony Harris with Swift in 1992, but he registered a league-record 105 points because nobody from the Mighty Meaties, except for a young rookie from Bulacan named Vergel Meneses, dared to launch a shot.

His true underdog status was in full display when he steered Red Bull to three Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) titles.

He turned fringe player Lordy Tugade into a do-it-all forward and Junthy Valenzuela into an elite perimeter defender with a feathery touch from the outside.

Of course, Cyrus Baguio, Rico Villanueva and Larry Fonacier were already collegiate basketball heroes when they joined Red Bull, but Guiao gave them their shining moments, something that they definitely would not have had with other teams.

That’s why it didn’t come as a surprise when he was tapped to serve as head coach of the men’s national team in the 18th Asian Games here.

With the core of his former team in Rain or Shine at his disposal, he was given a free hand to choose from other PBA teams players he thought will fit his system.

Instead, he recruited his former players Don Trollano and Paul Lee, together with hardworking playmaker Stanley Pringle, rebounder Christian Standhardinger, unheralded big man Poy Erram and the resurgent Asi Taulava.

Seeing this roster, ranking Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) officials panicked. They did not like what they saw.

SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan even issued a statement, saying that they would rather withdraw from the prestigious quadrennial meet because they don’t want to send a “token team.”

But the PBA Board of Governors was persistent.

They knew this “token team” would go far.

And so were the fans. The SBP got trolled on social media to send a team. The body collapsed to pressure and sent Guiao and his gang to this city.

In their first match in the Asian Games, Guiao repaid the faith of the PBA when Gilas Pilipinas – or rather, the Gilastopainters as they as now know – creamed Kazakhstan, 96-59.

Cleveland Cavaliers standout Jordan Clarkson didn’t even suit up and the Nationals played without a naturalized player.

No Marcus Douthit or Andray Blatche, but they played as if it was just a regular PBA game.

And the most important thing was they conquered the Kazakhs in an impressive fashion, something that the Gilas Pilipinas squad of Chot Reyes failed to do in their last outing.

As one PBA governor said during the dinner hosted for the Gilastopainters: “Coach Yeng fits the role of a national head coach because he doesn’t put drama into the team. He’s a no non-sense guy who knows what he’s doing.”

In his media interviews, he doesn’t sugarcoat nor twist the facts. No details remain hidden. He calls black, black. White is always white.

He said Clarkson will be billeted in a hotel because he may not be comfortable sleeping on a double-deck bed in the Athletes’ Village and expressed willingness to keep Don Trollano in the team because he’s good in giving massage.

On Tuesday, this token team will march to war anew.

The Gilastopainters will be in full strength when they clash with China, a team that the Filipinos have yet to beat in an elite tournament.

Again, Guiao is not putting pressure on the players.

He just wants them to go there and play basketball.

That’s a mark of a good basketball coach.

Whatever happens, I think it is time for the SBP to revisit its program and make some necessary changes.