What began as a crucial semifinal equalizer quickly turned into another fiery chapter in the long-running tension surrounding the PBA’s biggest personalities.
Fresh off Rain or Shine’s gritty 97-85 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao shifted the conversation away from basketball and toward what he felt was an issue of professionalism and conduct during the game itself.
Instead of celebrating the series-tying victory, Guiao openly addressed his heated postgame confrontation with Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua — an exchange that unfolded during the traditional handshake line moments after the final buzzer at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
According to Guiao, the tension had been brewing throughout the game because of what he described as Chua’s repeated interactions with referees during live action.
“Akala ko, makiki-handshake siya,” Guiao said. “Nilapitan ko si (Ginebra) Coach Tim (Cone). Nag-handshake kami. Tapos lumapit siya, tinanong niya ‘ko kung ano raw ang problema ko sa kanya. Sabi ko, ‘wag mo lang kakausapin ang referees.’”
For the veteran coach, the issue was never simply about emotions running high in a playoff environment. Instead, Guiao stressed that team officials — particularly governors — should avoid placing added pressure on referees during tightly contested games where every whistle could influence the outcome.
“I feel as a governor, it’s not his job to keep talking to the referees in such an intimidating way. Never ginawa ‘yun ni Atty. Mert,” he said, referring to longtime Rain or Shine governor Atty. Mert Mondragon. “Ang layo ng behavior.”
Guiao acknowledged that emotional outbursts can naturally happen during high-stakes games, but argued that constant engagement with officials crosses a different line.
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“Maybe sometimes baka paminsan-minsan madala siya ng emosyon, but not every time,” he continued. “Tao rin naman ‘yang mga ‘yan, minsan may bugso ng emosyon. Pero, you cannot do that for Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Game 4.”
The longtime coach and former PBA commissioner also claimed the situation escalated further after Chua allegedly shouted an insult at him from afar during the confrontation.
“Tapos from afar, tinawag niya ‘kong ulol,” Guiao said. “‘Yun lang naman sinabi ko. Nagkasagutan kami. I think marami namang nakawitness. I was just asking him to stop talking to the referees. ‘Yun lang ‘yon.”
“‘Di ko naman siya minura. Sabi ko lang ‘wag mo kausapin ang referees, which is a fair statement kasi nakaka-intimidate ‘yun. And in a close series where there are a lot of calls that can determine the game, I’m protecting my team,” he added.
Despite the heated atmosphere, Guiao emphasized that his concern ultimately centered on protecting the integrity of the game and shielding his players from situations that could potentially influence officiating.
With the semifinal series now tied at 2-2, the already intense matchup between Rain or Shine and Ginebra suddenly carries even more tension heading into the pivotal next game.
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