Rain or Shine secured its top picks in the recent PBA Season 48 Rookie Draft by signing Luis Villegas and Keith Datu to long-term deals.
The Elasto Painters have signed the highly-touted big men to separate three-year deals, the ball club announced via social media Wednesday.
Villegas and Datu were accompanied by their respective agents in Marvin Espiritu and Anton Altamirano in the signing also graced by team governor Atty. Mert Mondragon, head coach Yeng Guiao, and team manager Jireh Ibanez.
A one-and-done from University of the East, Villegas was picked third overall in the proceedings held last Sunday at Ayala Malls Market! Market! in Taguig.
RoS then used its fourth pick to nab the 6-foot-8 Datu, with the goal to stock up on size and, more importantly, youth to an aging frontline.
“Beau, Jewel and Mark Borboran, our bigs, they’re getting a little older so we need a new generation of big men. Itong mga nakuha namin, we’re hoping that they can take over,” Guiao told reporters during the Rookie Draft.
The Elasto Painters took a total of seven prospects in the drafting, but only four other names can vie for a contracyt as the team is set to ship second-round pick Henry Galinato to TNT in exchange for a future first-rounder.
Other draftees were Adrian Nocum from Mapua, Sherwin Concepcion from UST, St. Benilde guard JC Cullar, and former D-Leaguer Larry Arpia.
