Yeng Guiao. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine, which owns the second overall pick in the coming PBA Draft, has a relatively long list of possible picks from a pool that does not have the formidable big man the Elasto Painters are actually looking for.
And that list includes the name of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
“There’s definitely no one (in the pool) of the caliber of the big man that we are looking for,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao told the Inquirer over the phone Tuesday, the final day of the 2014 Gatorade biometric test for rookies.
“I will meet with the owners on Friday or Saturday and then we will decide,” added the firebrand coach, who posted two runner-up finishes last season behind Grand Slam champion San Mig Coffee.
“We are open to everything. We will use that pick well—including the chance of drafting Manny Pacquiao,” said Guiao in a serious tone.
He explained that should the team drafts Pacquiao, Rain or Shine would do so only to build on the future.
“We will get Pacquiao and not look at it as a wasted (second overall) pick because we will trade him to KIA for their first-round pick (next season, which could likely be the first overall).”
KIA is one of the league’s two expansion teams together with Blackwater and will be among the top draft pickers in the coming season—hence, a likely candidate to own the top overall selection next year.
Guiao said that with Stanley Pringle likely to be tabbed first overall by Globalport, the Painters will be taking a close look at Gilas-Cadet products Kevin Alas, Matt Ganuelas, Jake Pascual and even Chris Banchero.
The Draft happens on Sunday at Robinsons Place in Manila.
The Painters managed to snag former NCAA MVP Raymond Almazan third overall last season behind Greg Slaughter and Ian Sangalang, and got a lot from the reedy slotman from Letran College.