Brilliance rewarded
Rain or Shine recently inked three players to fresh pacts, including a key fixture during its run to the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elasto Painters signed up rookie Jun Roque and veteran guard Anton Asistio to one-year deals earlier in the week to begin the signing spree.
But the biggest one came on Friday when Rain or Shine and bruising forward Jhonard Clarito agree to a three-year pact that assured that one of coach Yeng Guiao’s main players on the rotation will be in for the long haul.
Keeping Clarito is a key step for Rain or Shine, as it is in danger of losing a vital piece.
Gian Mamuyac’s contract is set to expire next month and his representative Titan Management Group acknowledged that they are likely to bite one of the many offers to play overseas.
Mamuyac has been with Rain or Shine since 2022 after being selected in the first round, and has thrived under Guiao as a two-way guard.
Losing Mamuyac could derail the progress Rain or Shine had after being in the semifinals in four of the last five conferences. The Commissioner’s Cup was where the Elasto Painters’ came closest to a Finals berth after losing to eventual champion Barangay Ginebra in six games.
“We won’t stop until we find a way to not just be a semifinalist [again], but also reach the Finals one day,” said coach Yeng Guiao.
Rain or Shine enters the Governors’ Cup set to tip off July 10 with an aim at breaking through, albeit fielding a familiar import in Aaron Fuller.
Fuller was the Elasto Painters’ import during last season’s Governors’ Cup when they reached the semis before bowing to champion TNT.
The Elasto Painters are also banking on the core of Clarito and Adrian Nocum, who has taken his game a notch higher during the Commissioner’s Cup.
Nocum was Rain or Shine’s top local scorer with an average of 15.8 points on top of 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 19 appearances, while Clarito logged 10.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals.
Apart from Mamuyac’s status is the uncertainty surrounding heady guard Felix Lemetti, who was sorely missed during the tailend of the previous campaign.
Lemetti sustained a partial ACL tear on his right knee after being a key fixture in Rain or Shine’s 8-0 start with his offensive boost and defensive ability.
Veteran guard Stanley Pringle, meanwhile, did not suit up during the conference as he continues his rehab following knee surgery in February.
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