RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted negotiations with Gian Mamuyac on a new contract have hit a stalemate over the past week, but expressed confidence that the talks will be wrapped up before the end of the week.
On what the conclusion would be, Guiao isn't sure.
"Negotiation came to a stalemate," said Guiao when asked about the 6-foot-2 Mamuyac, the first-round pick of Rain or Shine at fifth overall in the 2022 PBA draft. "We are trying to keep him but we are preparing for any eventuality."
COLUMN: B.League an option as Gian Mamuyac plots next career move
The 27-year old Mamuyac's contract expires at the end of the month and his game has peaked at the right time, blossoming into one of the core players in Rain or Shine's lineup while becoming one of its leaders as team captain.
However, no deal has been reached after weeks of negotiations.
Although sources said the gap between the ROS counter-offer and the sum being demanded by Mamuyac's camp through his agent PJ Pilares isn't wide, the two sides have somehow failed to put pen to paper.
Complicating the situation is a standing offer to play for Japan B.League Division II side Earthfriends Tokyo Z, although such an option comes with a caveat that Mamuyac faces a three-year ban from the PBA if he goes down that route.
Lately, Guiao said a 'win-win trade' has also become an option, admitting that the Rain or Shine camp has received feelers from teams interested in the former three-time UAAP champion out of Ateneo.
"Meron, pero not interesting to us," said Guiao when asked about the trade offer.
The Rain or Shine coach sounded confident that they can keep the 27-year old guard, but preferred getting another player in exchange in a win-win trade than see Mamuyac say sayonara and walk away to sign a B.League contract.
"I feel confident that we can sign him," said the veteran coach, "but not closing the door on a win-win trade option."
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