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Yeng Guiao rejoins Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after departure from NLEX Road Warriors

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have announced the return of seven-time PBA championship-winning coach Yeng Guiao, who was previously at the helm of the franchise from 2011 to 2016. PBA Media Bureau

Yeng Guiao is set for a second tour of duty with PBA franchise Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Just three days after his former team NLEX Road Warriors announced that the two parties had mutually agreed to go their separate ways, the Elasto Painters announced that Guiao would be calling the shots once again for the team.

"Coach Yeng Guiao was the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' head coach from 2011 to 2016," the team announced on its social media pages.

"He led the team to six Finals appearances and two championships: the 2012 Governors' Cup and the 2016 Commissioner's Cup. Now, he returns to coach a new generation of Elasto Painters."

The announcement also noted that only Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga and Jewel Ponferrada remain from Guiao's last stint with Rain or Shine.

"This is a homecoming for me," Guiao told ESPN. "I'm in a familiar place but with a new challenge. Happy to be back coaching after a brief moment of uncertainty. Thankful for the opportunity given by boss Raymond (Yu) and boss Terry (Que) who treated me as family."

Previous head coach Chris Gavina will still be part of the team's coaching staff, erstwhile Rain or Shine director of basketball operations Caloy Garcia told ESPN.

Garcia, who succeeded Guiao as head coach in 2016 before being elevated to director of basketball operations in 2021, said he will reassume his old role as Guiao's lead assistant.

Rain or Shine was eliminated early in the recent Philippine Cup after losing five of its first six games, with the team having failed to make it back to the any conference finals since Guiao left.

Guiao joined the Road Warriors in early October 2016 after Rain or Shine failed to advance to the 2016 Governors' Cup playoffs.

He coached NLEX for five seasons and one conference, leading them twice to the semifinals.