RAIN or Shine faces what coach Yeng Guiao termed as a 'good problem' come Sunday's PBA Rookie Draft.
The Elasto Painters own no less than five of the first 20 picks in the July 14 event at Glorietta in Makati, including two first round selections.
The team will have its turn back-to-back at nos. 7 and 8 in the first round, and then nos. 13, 16, and 20 in the second round.
While Guiao said Rain or Shine could still make room for its first two selections, the problem comes during the second round when team will add three more players to its pool.
The champion coach admitted the Elasto Painters' current roster is already loaded it could only accommodate just a few number of additional players.
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"We do not have many slots in our team, so kahit makakuha ka nung mga nasa second round, hindi mo na mailulugar doon sa lineup," said Guiao after gracing the just concluded two-day Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Rain or Shine management opted to keep last year's core almost intact entering Season 49 especially after reaching the semifinals for the first time in five years during the Philippine Cup.
With quality players still expected to be in line during the third round, Guiao sees trading one or two of Rain or Shine's second round picks for future draft selections as one viable options for the team.
"We're looking to maybe trade it for future picks, yung mga nangangailangan pa na mga teams. We're actually exploring that," said the 65-year-old coach.
But if such plan doesn't materialize, then Guiao said the team is willing to embrace the good problem.
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"Kung wala naman, we will still draft in the second round, and we'll have a good problem," he said. "We will see how they are in practice, and then, we will have to decide." (RG)
