At 6-foot-8, Luis Villegas could certainly help the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, especially now that the team’s only bigs are 38-year-old Beau Belga and journeyman Kris Porter, who are both just 6-foot-5.
This developed after Keith Datu suffered a freak injury in Rain or Shine’s 91-80 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday. The 6-foot-8 Datu, who has been having a breakout season, crumpled to the floor on a fast break and immediately clutched his knee in what appeared to be a non-contact injury. On Thursday, the team announced that Datu tore the patellar tendon on his right knee and will miss the rest of PBA Season 50.
Rain or Shine, incidentally, had played its last three games without Caelan Tiongson, who is dealing with a hamstring problem. Belga, meanwhile, has been playing spot minutes only, as Yeng Guiao is carefully managing his old reliable’s minutes after the veteran dealt with severe vertigo last season.
So, yes, Luis Villegas sure could help Rain or Shine just about now.
Luis Villegas Might Not Be Ready Now—or Maybe Ever?
Unfortunately, Luis Villegas probably won’t be suiting up for Rain or Shine anytime soon. Guiao didn’t explicitly say anything about the former UE Red Warrior’s timetable, but he might have left a clue when he gave reporters a prognosis on his injured stars—Tiongson and veteran Stanley Pringle.
“Gusto na namin gamitin. Si Caelan medyo okay na. We have a game on Saturday, I think he’s gonna be a game-day decision. We’ll see him in practice kung ano ‘yung sitwasyon niya,” Guiao told reporters after Rain or Shine’s win over Phoenix. “Si Stanley naman, he’s okay, but he’s still feeling some pain, so I don’t want to use him with that pain there… Si Luis, 2030 siguro ready na siya.”
That 2030 joke, which elicited laughter from the press, might just be another example of Guiao’s famed quick wit and dry humor. Then again, it could also be a hint that the fiery tactician is at a complete loss on when Villegas would finally be healthy enough to play—maybe even to the point that he has grown hopeless.
Waiting Can Be a Pain . . .
To be fair, anyone in Guiao’s position would be exasperated—if not rendered hopeless—by Luis Villegas’ slow progress or lack of it. In two seasons, the third overall pick of the PBA Season 48 Draft has played in only eight games, as Rain or Shine has put a premium on his recovery over these past two years.
But if jokes really are half-meant, then it would probably take a few more months, if not years, before Luis Villegas could be healthy enough to play—let alone help Rain or Shine.
So, no, don’t blame Yeng Guiao in case he does lose faith in his big man.
