PBA: Chua-Guiao spat adds fuel to Game 4 drama

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Yeng Guiao during a game vs Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Coach Yeng Guiao didn’t take kindly to the way Alfrancis Chua was griping about the officiating during the course of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

For his part, Chua urged Guiao to focus on coaching.

Their verbal exchange immediately after the match and in interviews with journalists overshadowed the drama of Game 4 on Wednesday night, when Rain or Shine ran away early and held on for a 97-85 victory over Barangay Ginebra at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Guiao and Chua, two of the league’s influential—and fiery—figures, got into it verbally during the first quarter before exchanging more words at the end of the contest, witnessed by a holiday crowd of 14,000 at the Big Dome.

“As a governor, it’s not his job to keep talking to the referees in that way,” Guiao said. “Our governor (Mamerto Mondragon) never did that.”

Guiao called out Chua in the first quarter, when the latter was arguing his case with one of the referees, prompting the first verbal spat. Guiao later claimed that Chua hurled some choice words at him.

Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao exchange words at the end of Game 4 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Chua later confronted Guiao as the final buzzer sounded, prompting players and coaches from both teams to intervene.

“I feel like, in terms of demeanor and ethics, if they can control their emotions, they should just leave that to their coaching staff, to the players,” Guiao said. “Then from afar, he called me [a derogatory term], and I think there were a lot of witnesses.

“[And after the game], I thought he was going to shake my hand. And he asked me if I had any problems. I just told him to avoid talking to the referees.”

The Ginebra official and PBA vice chair spoke briefly afterwards, expressing frustration over the incident with Guiao. Interestingly, both are key fixtures of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines.

“I don’t meddle with his team, but he meddles with our team,” said Chua. “He even meddles with the governors. He should just focus on his work, he should just focus on coaching.”

The incident left two key performances as an afterthought, with Guiao getting key contributions from rookies Joshua David and Christian Manaytay in the victory that squared the entertaining series at 2-2.

Guiao placed David in the starting lineup, and he responded with eight points in 18 minutes, while Manaytay came off the bench to put up 11 points and three rebounds also in 18 minutes.

The two helped Rain or Shine produce a lead of 26, leaving Ginebra to play catch-up the rest of the way.

Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson were the few bright spots for the Gin Kings with 27 and 20 points.

Jaylen Johnson led Rain or Shine with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Gian Mamuyac scored 12 to lead six players in double figures.