Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao was one of the many sports and basketball personalities who paid tribute to veteran sports journalists and executive Manolo “Chino” Trinidad who passed away on Saturday, July 13.

The fiery mentor was just as shocked as everyone when the news of Trinidad’s passing rocked the sports and media industry on the morning of Sunday, July 14, and he just couldn’t help but remember the good old days with his long-time friend

“Nabigla ako. It’s a sad development,” said Guiao as the PBA offered a moment of silence for Trinidad before the start of the 2024 Rookie Draft.

Guiao said he became good friends with Trinidad when they worked together as part of the TV panel for Vintage Sports in the late 1990s.

“Partner ko iyan si Chino. We were really close, nagkasama kami, nagumpisa ako sa broadcasting doing the games with Vintage na siya 'yung unang partner ko. Matagal kami na nagsama doon,” recalled Guiao.

The veteran mentor said they easily became friends from there as they somehow shared the same views, opinions, ideas, and advocacies. And while it was never that way, Guiao said it was always good conversing with Trinidad.

“”Kumbaga magkatugma kami ng wavelength,” said Guiao who also revealed that he was the one who recommended Trinidad to be his successor as the next commissioner in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

At the PBL, Trinidad served for 10 years as its chieftain.

“Noong magtapos ako ng commissionership ko sa PBL I talked to him sabi ko kung gusto niya. Tapos ni-recommend ko sya kay boss Dioceldo (Sy) to take over. So nag-take over siya and for 10 years he held the position,” said Guiao.

While saddened by the untimely passing of his old pal, Guiao was proud of how Trinidad had lived his life especially with how passionate he was not only for basketball, but for Philippine sports in general.

“Di ko akalain na ganung kabilis na mawawala siya sa piling natin pero ako ang tingin ko kay Chino kasi, ‘yung buhay nya hindi nasayang. He has lived a full life.  ‘Yung mga gusto nyang gawin sa buhay ginawa nya at ginagawa nya,” said Guiao.

“We’re really sad and condolence to the family pero I think yung legacy niya sa basketball matagal natin bago makalimutan and sports in general di lang naman siya sa basketball eh,” he added.