High expectations await Caelan Tiongson in Rain or Shine.
The Fil-Am bruiser is seen to be taking on a leadership role for a youth-laden crew, all due to his vast experience playing pro ball internationally.
“We’re expecting him to be a leader since he’s been a veteran for some years playing around the world,” said Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao.
The champion mentor said as much during the PBA Draft Season 49 on Sunday, where the club took Tiongson with the seventh overall pick.
(C) Strong Group
Guiao admitted that he and his staff didn’t expect the 6-foot-5 forward to fall to no. 7 but they’re nonetheless happy to snag a player of his calibre.
“Masaya kami, inabutan pa namin si Caelan. Akala namin he will be drafted earlier, although we had our contingencies already,” he said.
Tiongson has been awaited by some PBA teams since impressing in the ASEAN Basketball League, first with Chong Son Kung Fu and then Alab Piilipinas.
He retired from the game back in 2019 but returned two years later when he signed with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan.
The Biola University product then went back to the Philippines to play for Strong Group, eventually declaring himself eligible for the Draft.
Fast forward to Sunday and the 32-year-old got chosen by RoS, and Guiao is looking forward to having a young leader aside from Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood.
“With Caelan, we have another leader on our team,” he said.
“We know his abilities. We know that he’s someone who can score, who can defend. We also know that he’s got leadership abilities,” added the 65-year-old bench tactician.
“Those will be useful for a young team like ours.”
