Yeng Guiao mourns Chino Trinidad's passing

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao mourns the passing of veteran sports journalist Chino Trinidad, whom he considers as his good friend.

The two crossed paths together as they became colleagues in sports broadcasting and with Trinidad being Guiao's successor as commissioner in the defunct Philippine Basketball League.

"We actually believe in the same things, same wavelength, same advocacies," Guiao said about Trinidad on the sidelines of the PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday.

"Nung magkasama kami, we talked about a lot of things in sports, about basketball. Although 'di kami magkatugma 100%, siguro 90% magkatugma ang ideas namin and opinions. That's why it's really good to be conversing with him, madaldal 'yun, very expressive sa ideas niya, passionate siya. That's one thing I like. Di siya takot magsabi ng nasa isip niya."

With Trinidad's passion and love for sports, Guiao said that the late sports personality lived a full life with boldness.

"He did what he wanted to do with boldness. Minsan mali siya pero kahit mali siya, basta sinabi niya na 'yun ang gusto niya, derecho pa rin siya. 'Yun ang di mo maalis kay Chino. 'Pagka nagkadesisyon siya, I think it's in his character na paninindigan niya. In that aspect, hahanga ka doon sa beliefs and passions niya na pinanindigan niya," Guiao said.

"Nabigla ako, nakakalungkot pero I think the consolation is this is the way he wanted to go. He lived a good life, even at 56, sabihin natin bata pero it could have been two or three lifetimes for somebody else."

Barangay Ginebra and Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone was also saddened with Trinidad's passing.

"Heartbroken about Chino. One of the good guys. RIP," Cone said in his post on X.

Heartbroken about Chino. One of the good guys. RIP.

— Tim Cone (@manilacone) July 14, 2024

Trinidad on Saturday passed away at the age of 56 due to heart attack.

A former part of GMA Network, Trinidad also made efforts for different leagues such as the PBA and MPBL, which were recognized on Sunday.

Sports personalities and colleagues, including the likes of Jessica Soho and Manny Pacquiao, have also paid tributes to the late journalist. 

Trinidad's family has opened his wake to the public from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. of July 15 and from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on July 16 to 19.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News