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Painters from Rain or Shine Elasto finally secured the services of rookies Leonard “Santi” Santillan, Fil-American point guard Franky Johnson and Anton Asistio after officially signing the three incoming freshmen Monday at the corporate headquarters of the Asian Coating team in Pasig.
Santillán, the team’s fifth overall pick in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft more than a week ago, signed a three-year rookie pact with the Elasto Painters. The Cebuano striker signed his contract in the presence of his representative Marvin Espíritu of EMBM, the owner of the team Raymund Yu, the governor of the Atty team. Mert Mondragon, the team’s alternate governor Edison Oribiana and assistant coach Jireh Ibañes.
The 6-foot-2-inch Johnson agreed to a two-year deal with Rain or Shine, while Asistio, the former captain of the Ateneo Blue Eagle team, settled on a one-year deal. Johnson (17th overall) emerged as one of the team’s three second-round picks, along with Asistio, who was selected 22nd, followed by former La Salle Andrei Caracut.
“Everyone is happy and excited that now they can settle for the team and focus on basketball,” Espiritu told ESPN5 on Monday.
The entry of the three new recruits injected more young blood into a team of Elasto Painters who recently named Chris Gavina their new coach, while moving former chief mentor Caloy Garcia as a consultant to the team, in addition to maintaining his position as head of basketball operations.
“Looking at this team, Rain or Shine seems to be entering a new era now with more young players on the team,” shared Espiritu. “It was a light negotiation because both parties already know the capabilities of the three players.”
Santillán, the 25-year-old product of the University of Visayas and later La Salle, adds athleticism, size and offense on the front court for ROS, which already has the burly Beau Belga, Jewel Ponferada and Bradwyn Guinto. The team landed Guinto last February after trading Sidney Onwubere to NorthPort.
Johnson, meanwhile, brings toughness on defense and scoring, while Asistio easily adds backcourt depth for Rain or Shine, who currently have Rey Nambatac and Adrian Wong.
