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| Christian Manaytay has formally signed a rookie contract with Rain Or Shine. EMBM |
MANILA—Help has come Rain or Shine's way as it is set to activate rookie big man Christian Manaytay ahead of its Saturday night game against TNT.
The Elasto Painters signed the six-foot-five power forward to a two-year deal, as announced by both the team and Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management on Tuesday.
The signing came in time for ROS as its first step to alleviate the loss of Keith Datu, who is set to undergo surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon.
Datu, who injured his right knee in the team's game against Phoenix on Wednesday night, is expected to sit out the rest of PBA Season 50, which will run until December 2026.
Datu, arguably the Elasto Painters' top rim protector right now, was dearly missed when they were punished inside by the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday night, prompting coach Yeng Guiao to quickly sign Manaytay.
The former University of Sto. Tomas standout, the 10th pick of the previous draft, became available when Nueva Ecija was shockingly eliminated early in the MPBL Playoffs despite being the second seed in the North Division.
Guiao said Manaytay began joining the Elasto Painters' practice right after the Rice Vanguards' surprise first-round exit.
Guiao also said that they are open to a trade or a free agency pickup to gain another big man as they brace for a tough homestretch of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations, which begins with the showdown against the Tropang 5G at the Aquilino Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center in Cagayan De Oro.
