Rain or Shine’s December surge: Luis Villegas ready to return from injury

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are poised to receive a much-needed boost as they continue to navigate injury woes, with big man Luis Villegas set to make his highly anticipated return next month.

Villegas, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 PBA Draft, has been sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and undergoing reconstructive surgery in 2024. The former University of East standout has only played eight games for Rain or Shine, with recurrent injuries plaguing his rookie season, including another surgery in December 2024.

Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao confirmed the team’s cautious approach to Villegas’ return, citing the long recovery process.

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“Late lang ang recovery. We are just being conservative. No setbacks, just playing it safe. We waited this long, might as well be sure,” Guiao explained during a recent media interaction.

Devastating news for Ros as 6’8 center Keith Datu will miss the rest of the season due to a ruptured patellar tendon.

Still without Luis Villegas who has yet to see real PBA minutes, losing Datu is certainly a big blow for the E-Painters. pic.twitter.com/hdhAdDqEHH

— PBA insider 🏀 (@PBAinsider) November 6, 2025

Villegas’ potential return comes at a crucial time for Rain or Shine, who have been hit hard by injuries to key players, particularly in their frontcourt. Starting center Keith Datu is out for the remainder of the year after suffering a season-ending patellar tendon injury, while Caelan Tiongson remains sidelined with a hamstring issue. Veteran Beau Belga has been limited in minutes after an injury-plagued season, prompting the Elasto Painters to call up rookie Christian Manaytay to help bolster their ranks.

Despite the injury setbacks, Rain or Shine has enjoyed a strong start to the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, posting a 5-2 record that places them third in the standings.

With their next game scheduled for Saturday, November 15, against the TNT Tropang Giga at the Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. International Convention Center, the Elasto Painters have time to rest, recover, and refine their tactical systems under Guiao.

The return of Villegas could provide the team with the added depth and firepower they need to maintain their momentum as the tournament progresses.

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