FOILED.
That, in a nutshell, was what happened to Rain or Shine when the franchise tried to get its hands on what coach Yeng Guiao described as a 'generational player' in guard RJ Abarrientos.
Speaking on the 'No Cooking Show' podcast, Guiao admitted that ROS 'seriously considered' trading up in Sunday's PBA Season 49 Draft at the Glorietta to be in a better position to snag the guard from the Korea and Japan pro leagues.
Rain or Shine owned the No. 7 and No. 8 picks in the first round, which the team felt would be too low for a prospect like Abarrientos. So the coaches tinkered with the idea of trading both picks for the No. 4 overall of Phoenix.
"Actually, serious and pagiisip namin doon. Special player kasi si RJ, ibang klase ang talent n'yan, a generational player," Guiao said. "So naisip namin, baka yung No. 7 and 8 namin, tanggapin ng Phoenix sa trade."
But even before any trade could be made, Barangay Ginebra pulled off a blockbuster deal with Terrafirma that enabled the Kings to get not only top rookie Stephen Holt and Isaac Go but also the No. 3 pick in the draft.
READ Cone explains decision to draft RJ instead of big man
In the days leading up to the proceedings, rumors were rife that Ginebra was looking at drafting either Caelan Tiongson or Kai Balunggay - a selection that insiders in the Ginebra camp shared, sources said.
However, Ginebra coach Tim Cone, seen in a huddle with LA Tenorio during Draft Day, surprised even some of his assistants when he went for Abarrientos instead.
"Nagulat talaga kami," admitted Guiao.
With Ginebra slamming the door on its plans for Abarrientos, Rain or Shine decided to keep its two first-round picks which it used to draft Tiongson at No. 7 and little-known Fil-Swede Felix Lemetti at No. 8.
READ Felix Lemetti's NCAA D1 experience hard to ignore, says Guiao
Guiao said the foiled deal may be a blessing in disguise.
"It's still a pleasant surprise that Ginebra didn't draft Caelan," the multi-titled coach said. "At least, umabot sya sa'min at No. 7. Kailangan namin ang klase ng player ni Caelan - malaki, masipag, at may shooting naman.
"Ang sinasabi ng mga tao, may edad na at 32. Pero alam mo, at 32 may mga five good years pa rin 'yan. So kung magamit natin ng limang taon, then I believe that will be worth the investment."
The same goes for Lemetti.
“Nung nakita namin siya sa practice namin, sabi namin baka puwede ito magamit sa team," he said. "True point guard. A solid point guard. He can score and at the same time, he can command ‘yung team niya. We are looking for somebody like that.”
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