After three years, TY Tang is ready to make his return to the basketball court.
The former Rain or Shine Elasto Painter point guard is set to play for the Go for Gold Scratchers in the ongoing PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup according to coach Charles Tiu.
"I think it's awesome for our team," beamed the Go for Gold head coach. "I would say there is no better pure point guard out there who is not playing in the PBA. That's why I got coach TY."
The Scratchers are in need of someone to man the point after the recent setback of Kent Salado. The combo guard suffered a season-ending MCL injury in his right knee after their first game.
"This was all a last minute decision because Kent Salado got hurt," explained Tiu. It also makes perfect sense for a team like Go for Gold whose team composition is made up of mostly CSB Blazers to get somebody like Tang. The fiery point guard is of course the head coach of the Blazers in the NCAA.
There is already an immediate connection between them players and mentor. "Our players will benefit because first I think the bonding is awesome, and they can observe what it means to be a true point guard," Tiu shared. "Our big men are loving him. They're all excited to play with him."
In 2015, Tang called it quits after seven years in the PBA. He made a name for himself through his hardnosed defense and no-quit attitude. He also helped Coach Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine win a championship in the 2012 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
He made his coaching debut last year with the Blazers in the hopes of rebuilding their basketball program. He hopes to infuse a winning culture to a school hungry for a success. In Season 93 of the NCAA, Tang and the Blazers ended up with a 4-14 record.
Now 33, Tang will try make a comeback playing competitive basketball. "The biggest problem is he's not in shape at all. He hasn't played competitively or trained in a very long time," said Tiu. "[The] biggest question would be how many minutes he could play, how Long will his body hold up for." "Just expecting him to provide some stability and leadership. There's no better leader in our team than him. I'm excited but have to manage expectations," the coach added.
Tang will be in action for Go for Gold on Tuesday against the JRU Heavy Bombers.