Christian Manaytay, the 10th overall pick by Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft, is expected to fill in the void left by injured Keith Datu.
With Keith Datu out for the rest of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine needed to dig deep.
It found a gem in rookie Christian Manaytay.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao is entrusting Datu’s role to their 10th pick in the latest draft.
Datu suffered a season-ending ruptured right patellar tendon in RoS’ win over Phoenix.
“It’s going to be a good opportunity para sa rookie natin, first round pick natin, to step into that slot and prove himself,” said Guiao in an interview posted on the team’s social media pages.
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After concluding his stint with Nueva Ecija in the MPBL, Manaytay signed a two-year deal with the Elasto Painters Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Manaytay is already getting praise from the many-time PBA champion coach, as he sees him as a reliable undersized bigman.
“Kailangan natin ng malalaki, although si Christian would still be undersized sa PBA standards. But, I think, he has the tools, the skills. Maganda ang ensayo niya,” said Guiao.
Guiao has high hopes for Manaytay, who would debut Saturday, Nov. 15, when Rain or Shine visits Cagayan de Oro for a game against TNT.
“We’ll try to fast-track his blending in. He’s being mentored by the veterans, sina Beau (Belga) and Gabe (Norwood),” Guiao said.
“Malaki 'yong potential ni Christian, so we will try to exploit that potential.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.