YENG Guiao expects the long wait to be worth it as far as Luis Villegas is concerned.
Rain or Shine has finally activated Villegas after a long recovery period from two knee surgeries, making the 6-foot-7 center available beginning in its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal playoff against Meralco on Saturday.
READ Rain or Shine activates Luis Villegas in time for PBA playoffs
"It's been a long wait for Luis to return to play, but I feel this is worth the wait," said Guiao on the day Villegas was added to ROS' active roster. "Lots of obstacles along the way but finally, he's on his way to showing his full potential."
Villegas is no doubt a stud, the reason he was picked No. 3 overall by Guiao in the Season 48 draft - ahead of future ROS teammate Keith Datu as well as Zavier Lucero, Cade Flores, Schonny Winston and Kenneth Tuffin.
However, his PBA career has since been weighed down by not one but two knee surgeries. The first one wiped out his entire rookie season; the second reconstructive procedure limited him to eight games in his three-year stay with ROS.
But now that he's cleared to go, Guiao expects Villegas to immediately contribute as he takes his place in the frontline in lieu of the injured Datu, judging from what he's been seeing from the former one-and-done UE player in practice.
"We've seen good things from him in practice, we think he's ready to make his contribution to making our team better," said Guiao.
Not only is Villegas a skilled and mobile big man, he is also a welcome presence inside the locker room, Guiao said.
"Yes, for sure," said Guiao when asked if he expects Villegas to make an immediate impact. "He makes up for the size we lost with the injury to Keith. He's also a natural leader who commands respect from the team."
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