Rain or Shine open to drafting Pacquiao, says Guiao

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MANILA — Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao announced that the team is open to selecting boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in the upcoming rookie draft of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The team owns the second overall pick in the coming draft.

The team is initially looking for a big man to add to their roster, according to Guiao. However, based from the rookie pool, the list does not have the player that the team needs. The list includes Pacquiao.

“There’s definitely no one (in the pool) of the caliber of the big man that we are looking for,” said Guiao during the last day of the 2014 Gatorade biometric test for rookies. “I will meet with the owners on Friday or Saturday, and then we will decide.”

He added, “We are open to everything. We will use that pick well – including the chance of drafting Manny Pacquiao.”

Guiao shared the possible scenario in case the team decides to take in Pacquiao.

“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 newest teams to join the league. Thus, it has the privilege of being a top draft picker in the coming season together with Blackwater.

According to Guiao, Globalport will most likely get Stanley Pringle for the first overall pick. Given this, the Elasto Painters are looking at selecting either Kevin Alas, Matt Ganuelas, Chris Banchero, and Jake Pascual. Last year, they were able to snag former NCAA MVP Raymond Almazan.

The next PBA draft is scheduled to take place on Sunday at Robinsons Place in Manila.