ROS re-signs Washington, Ibañes, looks at best available talent for Draft

WITH a core centered around big man Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood and two-time Most Valuable Player James Yap, Rain or Shine (ROS) is looking to add the best available talent it could get at no. 7 in the coming PBA Rookie Draft.

Team owner Raymond Yu told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview that it intends to keep the core of the squad and only open to make minor changes in its roster. The team started its intention of staying intact by re-signing veteran players Jay Washington and Jireh Ibañes for next season.

The 6- foot- 7 Washington, a multiple Best Player of the Conference awardee, started his career with Rain or Shine in the defunct Philippine Basketball League. He inked a two-year contract extension just recently.

Mr. Ibañes, the long-time team captain of the squad, who was sidelined the entire season due to a foot injury, agreed to play for another year after undergoing an outpatient procedure to treat his old injury.

But Mr. Yu believes that Messrs. Almazan and Norwood, two players whom he agreed to be loaned for Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign, would play vital roles in the core they’ve envisioned.

“I think the stint with Gilas has helped Almazan and Norwood a lot. We’ve seen the growth of Raymond as his mobility, his defensive prowess and his hustle could make him a game changer,” said Mr. Yu. “Gabe, on the other hand, has been rejuvenated in his latest inclusion with the national team.”

No other player in Gilas Pilipinas has played in major international competitions than Mr. Norwood, who’s been in the national team program since 2007 when Chot Reyes started handling the Philippine squad. In last year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, he was tapped to become captain of the national quintet coached by Tab Baldwin.

When Gilas Pilipinas resumed program this year, Mr. Norwood was one of those players who were not included, but was recalled by Mr. Reyes to join the national team which competed in the FIBA Asia Cup. He is expected to play for the national team in the home and away tournament which starts in November heading to the 2019 World Cup.

Mr. Yu thinks tapping Mr. Norwood is logical and he sees no problem loaning his players for the Philippine team’s sake.

“I think Gabe has a few more years left in his game and including him in the national team is vital,” added Mr. Yu. “On the other hand, Gabe and Raymond will be important in forming our nucleus at Rain or Shine.”

For the coming Rookie Draft, Rain or Shine is picking no. 7 and Yu said the team is set to select the best available talent.

“We’ll look for the best available talent. It’s hard to speculate who will be left, but we’ll go for the best talent available,” added Mr. Yu.

This year’s Rookie Draft had already drawn some of the big names, including Fil- German Christian Standhardinger, national team standout Kiefer Ravena, former La Salle stalwart Jeron Teng and Fil-Am guard Davon Potts from San Beda and Cignal in the PBA D-League. —