After six years, Yeng Guiao and NLEX have parted ways.
Guiao and the Road Warriors could not come to terms with an extension. And with the talks heading into a stalemate, both NLEX and the seven-time PBA champion coach decided to move on.
The development was first reported by SPIN.ph’s Gerry Ramos and Snow Badua and confirmed to Tiebreaker Times by sources closely monitoring the situation.
“It was a mutual decision between the NLEX Road Warriors management and Coach Yeng Guiao to end the agreement,” NLEX management wrote in a statement.
“We thank him for developing the team. In fact, we reached semis twice and this showed how he professionalized the team.”
Guiao, 62, though is yet to look for a new team as he is still “tying some loose ends” with NLEX, according to one of Tiebreaker Times’ sources.
After a six-year stay with Rain or Shine from 2011-16, Guiao moved to NLEX, becoming not just the team’s head coach but also general manager. He replaced Boyet Fernadez.
Under his watch, the Road Warriors made the semifinals twice.
However, Guiao could not find his footing with NLEX after the departure of Kiefer Ravena to Shiga last year and the trade that involved NLEX’s second overall pick to TNT that resulted in Mikey Williams two years ago.
Still, Guiao’s decision to join the MVP Group helped him land the Gilas head coaching job during the tail-end of the 2016-2020 cycle.
“We wish Coach Yeng all the best in his future endeavors,” added the NLEX management.
