ANTIPOLO – Rain or Shine is looking at signing rookie Christian Manaytay as one of its options to cover the void left by the injured Keith Datu.
Coach Yeng Guiao disclosed the 6-foot-5 Manaytay has begun practicing with the Elasto Painters following the exit of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the MPBL playoffs, and could be given a roster spot within the team as Datu is already declared out for the rest of PBA Season 50.
READ: Keith Datu out for rest of season due to ruptured patellar tendon
That of either having Manaytay coming on board or looking for other available players in the free agency market are the possibility the Elasto Painters are looking at.
“That’s an option (free agent players). The other option is to sign yung first round draft pick namin,” said Guiao following Rain or Shine’s 105-91 loss against the NLEX Road Warriors Saturday night in the PBA Philippine Cup Season 50 at the Ynares Center here.
“Next game namin is Saturday. So we will figure that out early this week, Monday or Tuesday para maihanda rin namin yun sa Saturday game naming sa CdO (Cagayan de Oro).”
Rain or Shine is set to take on TNT down South on Nov. 15.
Manaytay was a first round pick of the team (no. 10 overall) in the last draft, but didn’t sign with the Elasto Painters right away until he finished his playing contract with Nueva Ecija.
“Nagpa-practice na siya,” said Guiao of the University of Santo Tomas product.
Already saddled by injuries to key players, Datu going down with a raptured patellar tendon in Rain or Shine’s 91-80 win over Phoenix further aggravated the team’s health situation.
The third-year big man is set to undergo operation for his injured knee.
“Meron na siyang schedule ng surgery next week. So out na talaga siya for the rest of the season,” shared Guiao.
“So we’re looking to filling up the slot of Keith (Datu) by next week. We’re still looking at our options, wala pa talagang final decision on how we will fill it up.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
