Rain or Shine gets a much-needed shot in the arm especially on its depleted frontline after finally signing rookie pick Christian Manaytay to a two-year deal, the team announced Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The 6-foot-5 center/forward was the 10th overall pick in the Season 49 rookie draft but did not sign with the team due to his commitment with his MPBL club.
His addition came at a time when the Elasto Painters were in dire need of a big man to plug the hold inside the paint after the injuries to Caelan Tiongson, Keith Datu and Luis Villegas.
Without the three, and veteran big man Beau Belga still on a minute restriction, ROS was left to contend with a frontline of only Leonard Santillan, Gabe Norwood and Kris Porter.
That lack of big body inside the paint was very much evident when ROS saw its four-game win streak end with NLEX pouncing on its inside advantage over the Elasto Painters.
Although the 25-year-old Manaytay will surely need some time not only to fully adjust to the system of head coach Yeng Guiao but also to the PBA physicality, there is some sense of optimism that he can contribute right away especially that he has been practicing with the Elasto Painters for two weeks now.
In the MPBL where he played for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Manaytay averaged 7.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists through 19 games.
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