RAIN or Shine got a pleasant surprise when Fil-Am forward Caelan Tiongson was still available when the Elasto Painters took their turn at No. 7 in the PBA 49th season rookie Draft last Sunday.
After choosing Tiongson, Rain or Shine pulled off a stunner when it tabbed relatively unknown playmaker Felix Lemetti at No. 8.
Coach Yeng Guiao said the decision to select the 6-foot-5 Tiongson should serve the Painters in good stead.
“Masaya kami, inabutan pa namin si Caelan. Akala namin he will be drafted earlier, although we had our contingencies already,” Guiao said.
“We’re expecting him to be a leader since he’s been a veteran for some years playing around the world,” he added.
Tiongson, 32, suited up for Chong Son Kung Fu and Alab Pilipinas in the ABL before retiring in 2019.
He returned two years later and linked up with the Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League in Taiwan.
Guiao said Tiongson is expected to provide the leadership savvy along with old reliables Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood.
“With Caelan, we have another leader on our team,” Guiao 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. Those will be useful for a young team like ours.”
Guiao said the Fil-Swedish Lemetti will be a big boost to his charges’ backcourt arsenal.
“Si Felix Lemetti, we felt that he had potential. Noong nakita namin siya sa practice, sabi namin, baka puwedeng magamit sa team,” Guiao said, who also drafted the likes of Francis Escandor, Mike Malonzo and Miggy Corteza in the second round.
“He’s a true point guard, solid point guard. He can score. At the same time, he can command iyong team. We’re looking for somebody like that.”
The 6-foot-1 Lemetti, 25, had stops with four different schools in the United States but his most noteworthy stint was with the NCAA Division I squad Omaha Mavericks where he averaged 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Guiao is convinced Lemetti has what it takes.
