Yeng Guiao isn’t closing his doors on a possible reunion with Rain or Shine now that he’s in the free agent market after parting ways with NLEX.
The Elasto Painters quickly emerged as a destination for the PBA champion coach given his history with the franchise following his departure from the Road Warriors, whom he served as chief mentor and GM for the past six years.
“Wala akong problema kay Rain or Shine. Galing ako diyan,” the outspoken bench tactician told Radyo5’s Power and Play as he addressed the rumor that has been swirling around.
“They’re family to me.”
Guiao holds Rain or Shine dear to his heart. He coached the ball club owned by Asian Coatings Philippines from 2011-16 and steered them to two PBA titles.
The last of which was the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup crown, where that particular batch of Elasto Painters holds the distinction of being the last non-conglomerate team to win a championship in Asia’s pioneering pro league.
He eventually left for NLEX later that year, but the 63-year-old has always been vocal of how special the RoS family is to him.
In fact, Guiao even mentioned in an interview with Coaches Unfiltered back in 2020 that he actually thought he’d be retiring with the ball club formerly known as Welcoat until he decided to accept the offer of the Road Warriors.
It was a tough decision for him to make then but was able to weigh things better with the help of, he said, no less than Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu.
The owner of seven PBA titles shared in that same vodcast that the amiable executive himself also offered that he can come back anytime soon to the team he helped rise into prominence in the half a decade he was there.
Now, the timing seems right, with Guiao now on the market. But for the tough-talking coach, it will all depend on the E-Painters’ top brass.
“It’s still going to be their decision e, ‘no, kung gusto nila ako magbalik or hindi,” he told the program hosted by PSC chairman Noli Eala.
There are also rumors that he could be bound for another conglomerate in San Miguel Corporation but for now, Guiao will try to explore all options.
“If there is any other option there, there are other teams that might be interested, I will consider them,” he said.
“Titingnan mo lang talaga ‘yung opportunity. Siguro ang unang-una riyan is, of course, kung sino ‘yung maunang lumapit at kung sino yung unang merong magandang offer,” he added. “You have to appreciate that.
“You have to appreciate yung makita nila yung urgency na una silang nakipag-usap sayo, una sila to get in touch. Of course you have to give them that importance and priority.”
