Rain or Shine to call up rookie Christian Manaytay amid injury woes

After a litany of injuries in their frontcourt rotation, the Rain or Shine Elastopainters is looking to give rookie Christian Manaytay his much-awaited debut in the PBA.

Big man Keith Datu was recently ruled out for the rest of the PBA’s 50th season after suffering a ruptured right patellar tendon, adding to the Elatopainters’ injury list that already includes Caelan Tiongson, Beau Belga, and Stanley Pringle.

Manaytay was drafted 10th overall in the PBA draft and has been playing for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the MPBL.

Head coach Yeng Guiao confirmed that Manaytay has already started training with the team, but a decision to call him up has not yet been finalized, as they are also considering signing free agents to bolster the frontcourt.

“Si Christian nagtetraining na with us. Free agency is (also) an option, but another one is to sign our first round draft pick (Manaytay),” Guao said.

“Next game namin is Saturday, so we will figure that out by early next week,” he added.

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CHRISTIAN MANAYTAY GOES TO RAIN OR SHINE 🐅 🌧️☀️

BREAKING: The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters select former UST Growling Tiger Christian Manaytay with the 10th pick in the 2025 PBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/jC3Aai01Eg

— Varsitarian Sports (@VSportsUST) September 7, 2025

Reports have also circulated that Guiao is looking to sign his former NLEX Road Warriors big men Justin Chua and Mike Miranda.

Rain or Shine’s injury came back to haunt them following a 105-91 loss to the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday, Nov. 8.

They will look to bounce back against the TNT Tropang 5G at the Aquilino Q. Pimnetel Jr. International Convention Center on Saturday, Nov. 15.

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