Yeng Guiao formally stepped down as head coach of NLEX, a shocking move that came three weeks before the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup.

Multiple reports have it that the fiery 63-year-old mentor failed to reach a contract extension agreement with the Road Warriors, prompting him to abandon his coaching role heading into the midseason conference that opens on 21 September.

The reports added that Guiao will be returning to Rain or Shine while the Road Warriors are looking at either Gilas Pilipinas assistant coach Jong Uichico or Meralco deputy Luigi Trillo as his replacement.

Daily Tribune tried, but Guiao or the Road Warriors refused to issue an official statement.

It could have been Guiao's sixth season with the Road Warriors.

He left Rain or Shine in 2016 with the hopes of leading the Manny Pangilinan-owned club to its first title after two forgettable seasons under Boyet Fernandez.

Guiao steered the Road Warriors to a pair of semifinal appearances with the latest coming in the recent Governors' Cup in which they pushed powerhouse Ginebra San Miguel to the limit before surrendering in their best-of-five duel.

But Guiao's stint with the Road Warriors was also marred with controversy.

Guiao found himself at the eye of the storm when Kiefer Ravena walked away in the middle of his three-year contract to join Shiga Lakestars in the Japanese B. League.

Initially, the Road Warriors agreed on the condition of having Ravena return after a year in Japan, but it didn't happen as the former Ateneo de Manila University star batted for just a one-conference contract so he could rejoin the Lakestars.

"He let Kiefer go because he knows that it's for his future," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity for lack of clearance from either Guiao or the Road Warriors.

"But losing a good player didn't sit well with him. Coach Yeng is a fighter. He really wants to win."

The source added that Guiao was also hurt when he lost big man Poy Erram and the fourth overall pick in the recent draft to sister team TNT Tropang Giga.

Erram was raw and untested when he joined the PBA as a second-round pick in 2013 but blossomed into a legitimate star when he joined Guiao and the Road Warriors in 2018.

In fact, he emerged as a member of the Mythical Second Team and PBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 before he was shipped to the Tropang Giga two years later in a three-way deal that left the Road Warriors with Anthony Semerad, Rabeh Al Hussaini and a pair of second-round picks.

Guiao was also said to be unhappy after losing the fourth pick to the Tropang Giga in exchange for roles players Roi Sumang, Don Trollano and Maurice Shaw as well as second-round selection this year.

The pick turned to be Mikey Williams – the Filipino-American playmaker who made an instant impact by leading the Tropang Giga to the Philippine Cup title on his way to emerging as Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player contender.

Now, Williams and the Tropang Giga are on the verge of another title as they are holding a 3-2 series lead in their best-of-seven finals series against San Miguel Beer. Game 6 is still ongoing at press time.

"Coach Yeng wasn't pleased over these transactions," the source added, saying that Guiao wants to clinch his eighth PBA title.

"It is no secret that he really wants to win – and he can't do that if he keeps on losing good players."