IN doing a trade with Phoenix Super LPG for Gian Mamuyac, Rain or Shine received a Season 53 first-round draft pick which could come sometime between 2029 and 2030, depending on how the schedule of future PBA seasons turns out.
Coach Yeng Guiao admitted that, at first, he prefered getting an earlier first rounder in exchange for Mamuyac. But with the young talent the team possesses, Guiao said the 53rd Season first-round pick is a better investment for Rain or Shine’s future.
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“Una, siyempre mas gusto namin mas maaga. Kaya lang that was the best offer on the table,” Guiao said when asked why Rain or Shine agreed on a Season 53 first-round pick in exchange for its former team captain.
Over the years, Rain or Shine has painstakingly built its team through the draft, with one of those picks being Mamuyac, who was selected No. 5 in the Season 47 draft in 2022.
Also part of that draft class was Jhonard Clarito, a second rounder at No. 17.
Luis Villegas and Keith Datu were picked consecutively at No. 3 and No. 4 in Season 48 in 2023, and deep into the second round, the Elasto Painters selected Adrian Nocum at No. 24.
Caelan Tiongson, Felix Lemetti, and Mike Malonzo were obtained in the Season 49 draft, while Christian Manaytay, Jun Roque, Deo Cuajao, and Joshua David were picked in the last rookie draft ahead of Season 50.
Those assets are enough for Guiao to be confident about his team's future, which will even be brighter with two first-round picks in Season 53, which could include not just the current youngsters in the collegiate ranks, but overseas-based players that might decide to return home and join the PBA.
“And we felt na bata pa rin naman ‘yung team. Meron kaming first-round pick ngayon na parating na draft. Meron kaming mga injured players na papasok na rin like Jun Roque, rookie din ‘yan. We are trying to develop our rookies also. I think that’s enough time,” Guiao said.
“Nasa pipeline itong mga ‘to, tapos merong papasok in two to three years na mga rookies din. Hindi naman kami mawawalan ng first-round draft pick, nandiyan pa rin. Tingin ko ‘yung timeline is just okay, na kahit na (Season) 53, okay pa rin sa akin,” Guiao said.
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