The PBA Season 50 Draft is just a few days away, but it appears Rain or Shine Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao isn’t too excited about it. That’s because he doesn’t see Rain or Shine getting an impact player with its picks—10th and 12th in the first round and three second-rounders.
But that doesn’t mean Rain or Shine isn’t trotting out impact players this upcoming Philippine Cup, the opening salvo of the PBA’s Golden Season. In fact, Guiao believes his team already has two such players who could make a huge impact in the Elasto Painters’ next campaign: former lottery pick Luis Villegas and offseason acquisition Stanley Pringle.
“Stanley and Villegas ang tingin ko magiging impact players namin. They might make the difference for us,” Guiao told the PBA as he attended the rookie combine on Thursday nonetheless to scout for prospective talent to add to the Rain or Shine roster.
Pringle is Rain or Shine’s prized free-agent signing and will likely bring both championship experience and high-level playmaking at the guard spot. The 6-foot-8 Villegas, drafted by the Elasto Painters with the third overall pick in the Season 48 Draft, is reportedly finally in shape and could be a huge addition to the Rain or Shine frontcourt with his size, length, and versatility.
‘Complete’ Rain or Shine to Draft for Long Term
Guiao pointed out, though, that Rain or Shine is always on the lookout for ways to improve the team, both in the interim and for the long term, which is why he and his staff are doing their due diligence in trying to identify this draft’s potential diamonds in the rough.
“Kumpleto na kami, pero you’re always open to improving it. Ganoon naman attitude namin. P’wede kang mag-reserve diyan kung may contract or talagang makakatulong sa iyo. But 10 and 12? I don’t think immediate impact makukuha mo doon,” said the fiery tactician, whose team also owns the 20th, 22nd, and 24th picks of the second round.
According to Guiao, Rain or Shine will essentially be drafting “projects”—even with the 10th and 12th picks.
“Kung sakali mang may ma-draft ka, kumbaga ang effect noon after this conference na or maghihintay ka ng isa o dalawang taon. But I don’t think there’s anybody you can get at No. 10 or No. 12 who will immediately impact our team,” added Guiao. “Kumbaga projects lang draft picks kung sakali, pero kung maka-tsamba ka ng isa sa mga picks na iyon na bubuti team mo, di okay na, di ba?”
The PBA Season 50 Draft will be held on Sunday, September 7.
