Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao. PBA Images.MANILA — The man regarded as the current knight in shining armor of Philippine sports will have his moment next week at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) 2025 Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
Veteran champion coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao will be bestowed with the special President’s Award by the country’s oldest media organization in the February 16 celebration, co-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The 66-year-old Guiao emerged victorious in a long legal battle that mandated the full remittance of the PSC’s shares from both the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), as directed under Republic Act 6847.
READ: Guiao says SC decision on PAGCOR, PCSO remittances can't be a 'moral victory'
It was a lonely journey for Guiao — aided by his counsel, Atty. Jun Guzman — that took a decade to realize, culminating in a landmark Supreme Court decision that rejected with finality the appeal filed by the two government gaming institutions.
The milestone stood as a testament to Guiao’s principle of fighting for what is right and just, having initiated the move when he was still a House Representative of the First District of Pampanga in 2016.
For the significant victory he secured for Philippine sports, the long-time Rain or Shine mentor is deserving of recognition during the traditional awards night.
“The choice of coach Yeng for the President’s Award is a fitting way to honor a sportsman who fought for our athletes — away from the spotlight and without regard for the fact that he had little to benefit from it,” said PSA President Francis T.J. Ochoa, sports editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“Coach Yeng took on a fight so formidable that no one dared join him. And he won. Every national athlete who dreams of bringing honor and glory to the country can now thank coach Yeng for the additional financial support they will receive as they pursue their podium dreams,” Ochoa added.
The 15-0 Supreme Court ruling means the PSC will now receive in full the five percent share of PAGCOR and PCSO’s gross income retroactively, ensuring billions of pesos in funding for the national sports development program.
Guiao described his 10-year court battle as a “long, hard struggle.”
“But this is a victory for Philippine sports,” he said. “This is justice for our young athletes, grassroots programs, better coaches, equipment, and nutrition. Now, we have no excuse. We can finally compete without shame.”