Rain or Shine formally signs ex-UST forward Christian Manaytay to two-year rookie deal amid Kieth Datu injury 

With their frontline stretched thin and a season hanging in the balance, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are banking on youthful energy and untapped potential to keep their campaign alive.

The team announced the signing of Christian Manaytay to a two-year contract, officially elevating the 6-foot-5 forward into the PBA fold as the replacement for injured rookie Keith Datu, who has been ruled out for the rest of Season 50 after suffering a ruptured right patellar tendon.

Manaytay, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 PBA Draft, joins Rain or Shine from the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the MPBL, where he carved a reputation as a relentless rebounder and physical defender. 

His inclusion provides much-needed depth to a frontcourt that has been ravaged by injuries.

“He’s one of our top options to help in the frontcourt rotation,” said head coach Yeng Guiao, who admitted the team had to move quickly following Datu’s diagnosis. “Despite losing Keith, we’re optimistic as we wait for the return of Caelan (Tiongson) and Stanley (Pringle).”

The injury bug has hit the Elasto Painters hard — Datu joins Caelan Tiongson and Luis Villegas on the sideline, while Beau Belga remains on restricted minutes after a bout with vertigo last season. 

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Rain or Shine has officially signed Christian Manaytay to a rookie contract. Listed at 6’5, the 10th overall pick of the 2025 PBA draft previously played for Ust in the Uaap and Nueva Ecija in the Mpbl.

— PBA insider (@PBAinsider) November 11, 2025

That left Guiao scrambling for reinforcements after the team’s 105-91 loss to NLEX, where the frontcourt’s lack of size and physicality became apparent.

Guiao revealed that the team had considered several free agents, including Michael Miranda and Justin Chua, both of whom played under him in the past. But ultimately, Rain or Shine decided to go with the rookie they had drafted and already had within their system.

Manaytay’s activation came sooner than expected. The former La Salle Green Archer turned UST Growling Tiger had only just begun training with the Elasto Painters following Nueva Ecija’s MPBL playoff exit when Datu’s injury accelerated his promotion to the active roster.

The move even sparked online buzz, with some fans briefly mistaking his name for that of Christian Standhardinger, leading to a mix of confusion and humor in the comments section of the team’s social media post.

Still, the coaching staff believes the rookie’s energy, hustle, and inside presence are exactly what Rain or Shine needs to stay competitive in the coming stretch — one that includes a tough November 15 clash against TNT Tropang 5G in Cagayan de Oro, before the league pauses for the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

In the end, Rain or Shine’s decision to bet on its own draftee over seasoned free agents speaks volumes. Manaytay may not yet have Datu’s polish or experience, but under Guiao’s system — where grit often outshines glamour — the opportunity to make a name for himself has just arrived. 

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