EVERYTHING remains on status quo for Raymond Almazan with regards to his stint with Rain or Shine.
The lanky 6-foot-8 center will continue to skip practices and won't suit up for the Elasto Painters in the PBA Governors Cup until the issue surrounding him is resolved.
The set-up has been agreed upon by both parties after team governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon and Danny Espiritu, representing Almazan, sat down to discuss the matter on Monday night.
"Yes, yun ang napag-usapan muna namin," said Espiritu.
During the meeting, Mondragon reiterated the team's earlier stand that it won't trade the 29-year-old big man out of Letran, although the Rain or Shine executive has yet to personally hear what Almazan would say.
Another round of meeting between the two parties, this time with Almazan present, is set over the weekend.
Espiritu though, would rather not comment on reports that a growing rift between Almazan and Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia was the reason for the sudden disappearance of the national team player the past two weeks.
Neither was Rain or Shine co-team owner Raymund Yu, who just instructed Mondragon to have 'take his time' in thinking things over.
Almazan has missed the Elasto Painters' last three outings, although they managed to beat erstwhile leader Barangay Ginebra, 104-97 in Lucenta City last Saturday for its breakthrough win this conference.