ROS Elasto Painters sign Tiongson in 3-year deal
RAIN OR SHINE (ROS) has finally secured its top draft pick Caelan Tiongson, striking a three-year deal on Sunday in the thick of the team’s campaign at the 39th Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament.
“Welcome to the Bayan ng ROS family,” said the Elasto Painters after coming to terms at last with their seventh pick in the just-concluded PBA Season 94 Rookie Draft earlier this month.
ROS alternate governor Edison Oribiana, head coach Yeng Guiao, deputy mentor Caloy Garcia and agent Marvin Espiritu of the Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM) joined Tiongson in the contract signing.
It was held in Davao City, where the Elasto Painters are having an unbeaten campaign in three games so far as part of their final build-up for the coming Commissioner’s Cup on Aug. 18 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Mr. Tiongson’s signing with ROS came days after the Elasto Painters also sealed Fil-Swedish ace Felix Lemitti (No. 8) and Francis Escandor (No. 13) to three-year and one-year contracts, respectively, as their first three picks in the loaded draft class.
With the Filipino-American standout finally on board, he’s expected to suit up for ROS in the Kadayawan finals against UAAP champion DeLa Salle University.
Mr. Tiongson, who’s coming off a Jones Cup championship run in Taiwan with Strong Group-Pilipinas, traveled with the squad to Davao City but has yet to suit up in ROS’ first three matches without a signature on the dotted line.
Still, ROS has taken care of its duty by beating De La Salle, 106-105, Phoenix 104-102, and Converge, 119-108, to top the eliminations and gain a finale ticket.
The Green Archers, after a close debut loss against the Elasto Painters, gained a rematch shot at them by besting Converge, 120-112, and Phoenix, 104-102, for a 2-1 slate. — John Bryan Ulanday