Rain or Shine Elasto Painters big man Luis Villegas, the third overall pick of the 2023 PBA Draft, might be looking at another year off—at least.
This after Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao shared injury updates on guard Gian Mamuyac, who fractured his hand in a preseason tuneup. According to the fiery tactician, Mamuyac’s surgically repaired hand will keep him out for two to three months. Villegas’s case, however, is more concerning, as he continues to deal with pain in his surgically repaired knee.
“Si Gian, na-fracture ‘yung kamay niya sa tuneup game namin, so inoperahan na. Mga two to three months pa bago makabalik,” Guiao told reporters after Rain or Shine’s 107-93 triumph over the San Miguel Beermen on Tuesday. “Si Luis naman, nakapaglaro na siya last conference, pero problematic pa rin ‘yung injury niya dahil hindi siya makapagtodo ng 100 percent. Parang bumabalik-balik ‘yung pain.”
This recurring pain, it appears, is serious enough to warrant another surgery—Villegas’s second after his ACL reconstruction in 2023.
“The suggestion of the doctor was to reconstruct… May surgery ulit siya. Titignan kung paano mapapabuti pa for the long term. Kasi ang nangyayari, nakakalaro siya, tapos hindi nanaman makakalaro,” Guiao added.
An Uncertain Future for Villegas, Playoffs for Mamuyac?
Guiao also bared that barring setbacks, Mamuyac might rejoin Rain or Shine in the playoffs should the team make it to the semis, which is something it did in the PBA Governors’ Cup. Villegas’s return, however, is uncertain at the moment—with the Elasto Painters looking well into the future.
“For the long term, that’s the best option [surgery],” Guiao shared. “Kaya nag-invest na kami na we will invest in time, magtityaga kami kasi nakikita namin may potensiyal si Luis. So, tyaga lang, hintay nanaman after ng reconstruction ng tuhod.”
Villegas initially underwent ACL reconstruction in 2023 after tearing it playing for TNT Tropang Giga in PBA 3×3. That did not deter Rain or Shine from drafting the 6-foot-7 former UE Red Warrior third in the 2023 PBA Draft. He averaged 13.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in his lone season at UE.
With this setback, Villegas might likely miss the rest of PBA Season 49 after missing practically the entirety of Season 48. Rain or Shine and its fans can only hope he is worth the wait—as Guiao thinks he is.
