Rain or Shine Elasto Painters import Jaylen Johnson makes up what could potentially be a stellar cast of reinforcements for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. But he might not be as well-known and as highly regarded as, say, Bol Bol of the TNT Tropang 5G or Marcus Lee of the San Miguel Beermen.
That doesn’t mean Jaylen Johnson is fazed. In fact, he is liking his chances against everybody else and isn’t afraid of anyone.
“I feel like I’ll be fine against the other imports. They’re good players, for sure. It won’t take nothing from them,” Johnson told Rebanse in an exclusive interview. “I’ve got heart and I’m willing to do whatever I’ve got to do to help my team win. Like I said, we all get dressed the same way. Knowing that in my head, I don’t fear nobody.”
And why should he? Johnson is a grizzled veteran with G League experience, and he has proven he can play at the highest levels.
Jaylen Johnson Vows to Bring More Grit to Rain or Shine
The Michigan-born big man, who seems like a play-a-like of former Rain or Shine import Deon Thompson, is also well aware of the Elasto Painters’ recent run of just falling short in the semis, and he is determined to help them get over the hump.
“A little more grit, just that eagerness to win, that hungriness to win,” Johnson pointed out when asked what he can bring to the table to push Rain or Shine to the next level.
Johnson, though, harbors no illusions of turning Rain or Shine into a one-man show. Instead, the 29-year-old reinforcement is hoping to be that missing piece to finally get the team onto higher ground.
“Everybody here, they have that factor, they want to win and they have that heart… Just add to that, just be another piece, just another energy, just give them that winning mentality,” he added.
Jaylen Johnson and the Elasto Painters will make their PBA Commissioner’s Cup debut on Saturday at the Ynares Center Montalban, where they’ll take on guest team Macau Black Knights.
