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."