Romy Guevara, longtime basketball referee, dies at 89

Romy Guevara (rightmost) during the 2025 Philippine Sportswriters Awards Night where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Romy Guevara, an international referee who would later become the PBA’s supervisor of officials, died on Tuesday at the age of 89.

Guevara passed away due to an illness, four months after his final public appearance during the PSA Awards Night.

It was at that annual event where Guevara was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The veteran official served as referee in the defunct MICAA and the PABL, as well as the UAAP and NCAA.

He eventually became a PBA official, first as a referee before taking the role of supervisor and consultant.

Guevara also worked as a referee and supervisor in the Middle East and East Asia.

His contributions prompted the Philippine Sportswriters Association to give Guevara the distinguished award.

He attended the event in February at Diamond Hotel, and was warmly greeted by fellow awardees and veteran scribes.