RAIN or Shine rookie Caelan Tiongson has drawn comparisons with Rudy Hatfield.
ROS bruiser Beau Belga even went a step further, saying the Fil-Am freshman is not just be the second coming of the H-Bomb, but may even be better than the PBA great in some areas.
“Better version siya ni Hatfield. Kasi malaki, may hustle, may depensa, rugged makipag-banggaan at may shooting sa labas,” said Belga of Rain or Shine's No. 7 pick in the last PBA Rookie Draft.
READ Caelan Tiongson signs three-year ROS contract
“Di ko minamaliit si Rudy ha kasi idol ko 'yun. Pero kung laro ang pauusapan, 'yun nga lamang sa shooting at scoring si Caelan,” he added.
On the other hand, coach Yeng Guiao likened Tiongson's skills to those of veteran Gabe Norwood, saying he's impressed with the rookie's versatility and ability to play multiple positions.
"He's very much like Gabe," said Guiao of Tiongson, who has joined the Elasto Painters in light practices during their trip to Davao for the Kadayawan pocket tournament which the team won via four-game sweep.
"Hindi pa s'ya masyadong nakatodo sa practice, but I feel he's good," Guiao said.
Belga is happy that ROS was finally able to sign the former Alab Pilipinas and Strong Group wingman to a three-year contract after initial concerns.
“Nadinig ko nga muntik di nag-sign sa 'min. Kaya di rin naglaro sa Davao. Pero masaya ako at na-sign up din kasi malaking bagay sa 'min si Caelan, yan ang isang pwestong kailangang kailangan namin,” he said.
Belga bared that he too was aware prior to the last draft that Tiongson was being eyed by Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who made a late turnaround to pick RJ Abarrientos with the third pick overall.
“Alam namin sa team, Caelan sila [sa Ginebra]. Kasi 'yan ang need nila dun sila puro injured tapos nagkaka-edad na si Japeth (Aguilar). Pero good pick pa rin sila kasi RJ [Abarrientos] nakuha nila, walang tapon 'yun,” said the 37-year old enforcer.
But asked if Tiongson is big enough to be their new star frontliner, Belga shook his head.
'Ako pa rin'
“Hindi big man laruan eh. Pwede yan sa kwatro o kaya tres. Dagdag threat namin 'yan sa labas,” he said. “Di siya ganun kalaki kila June Mar (Fajardo) at Christian (Standhardinger) pero pwede siya mismatch sa 3 and 4,” he said.
So who will guard Fajardo, Standhardinger the other top big men?
“E di ako pa rin!” he said in between laughs.
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.
