Guiao reveals NLEX’s extension offer was not about coaching

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Prior to his decision of leaving the NLEX Road Warriors at the start of the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, veteran coach Yeng Guiao bared some transactions that the management arranged midway into their training camp.

According to Guiao during another episode of Radyo5’s Power and Play sports show, the NLEX management offered him a new contract but not as the team’s head coach.

Instead, NLEX offered the 63-year-old tactician a corporate role in the management which he reportedly declined.

Guiao admitted that it was a very ‘tempting’ offer from NLEX and even involved his whole family during the decision-making process amid the situation.

“Napakaganda naman nung offer nila. Napakaganda. It was very tempting actually. Pinagusapan namin ng family ko. But accepting that offer, it would mean parang lalayo ako sa coaching. E ayoko pa naman,” said Guiao.

Guiao said that coaching is still his top priority and will definitely enjoy several more years coaching the Road Warriors if only it was given to him.

“Actually, gusto ko pa mag-coach dito. Mahal ko ‘tong team na ‘to. Kaya lang, hindi coaching job ‘yung in-offer nila. If they offered me a coaching job, I would still be here, actually,” added Guiao.

Now with Guiao out as the team’s head coach, the Road Warriors management is yet to find a late replacement with only three weeks remaining before the kick-off of the Commissioner’s Cup.

Guiao already spearheaded several NLEX team practices and was eager to make another post-season run with the team after qualifying during the Philippine Cup but failed to make it into the semifinals.

Since leaving the Rain or Shine Elastopainters to accept his new role as NLEX’s new mentor last 2016, Guiao has managed to mold the team into a consistent playoff squad that eventually paid dividends.

The Guiao-led Road Warriors squad reached the semifinals of the PBA twice and has become a legitimate threat for the title.