Rain or Shine mentor Yeng Guiao, whose team had five picks in the first two rounds of the PBA Rookie Draft, had a “good problem” ahead of the exercise at the Glorietta Activity Center yesterday.

The multi-titled coach discussed his situation during the PBA Draft Combine on Thursday, July 11, at the Ynares Sports Arena, and acknowledged that he has a lot of options for the team’s roster.

The Elasto Painters, who have reached the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, kept their core intact.

“We do not have many slots in our team, so kahit makakuha ka nung mga nasa second round, hindi mo na mailulugar doon sa regular lineup mo,” Guiao told reporters.

“We’re looking to maybe trade it for future picks, ‘yung mga nangangailangan pa na mga teams. We’re actually exploring that. Kung wala naman, we will still draft the second round, and we will have a good problem.”

It seems that Guiao will have a bunch of choices as Rain or Shine recalibrates during the offseason.

“We will see how they are in practice, then we will have to decide. But for me, that’s going to be a good problem,” he said.

As expected, Guiao said he would be out there on the lookout for “unpolished gems,” just like the recent cases of Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito.

“Tingin ko, baka may matsambahan ulit na Jhonard Clarito diyan. May matsambahan ka ulit na Adrian Nocum na parang hindi masyadong napansin, tapos nag-shine. We’re always looking for that.”

The seven-time PBA champion coach also went on to discuss the quality of the batch of aspirants.

“Maganda pa ‘yung quality in the first two rounds. Kokonti ‘yung big men, pero ‘yung mga big men may quality rin naman kahit konti sila. Mataas ‘yung quality, of course, led by Justine Baltazar,” he said.

“Feeling ko rin meron mga parang ‘sleepers’ diyan. Merong mga siguro unpolished gems na pwede mo pang makuha in the later rounds. If you’re looking for wing men ang guards, I think this is a good batch to look for wing men and guards,” Guiao added.

“Pagdating sa guard talent, hindi na mahuhuli nang malaki ‘yung grupo na ‘to.” (ABS-CBN News)