Rain or Shine coach Chris Gavina expressed "extreme satisfaction" after taking in former La Salle big man Leonard Santillan and Fil-American guard Franky Johnson in the first two rounds of the 2021 PBA Rookie draft held last Sunday.
"We are extremely satisfied at acquiring the no. 5 best 3x3 player in the nation and provide even more depth to our front court bangers," Gavina told ESPN5 on Monday as Santillan joins ROS frontline veterans Beau Belga, Jewel Ponferada and Bradwyn Guinto, whom the team acquired over a month ago in a trade with NorthPort.
The 25-year-old Santillan worked out with the ROS squad prior to last Sunday's PBA draft and left Gavina and the coaching staff impressed.
No wonder, the Fil-American coach didn't waste time plucking the Cebuano big man from the draft.
Santillan has shown so much promise since first playing college basketball for the University of Visayas Lancer, before moving over to La Salle in the UAAP.
His UAAP Season 81 stats revealed solid numbers after averaging 11.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting and 8.4 rebounds in 25.9 minutes in 15 games.
The pride of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu eventually moved over to play for Zamboanga in the MPBL's 2019-20 Lakan season, posting PBA-ready numbers of 11.4 points on 40.7 percent shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists, while playing 24.6 minutes in 17 games.
He also played for Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA D-League while honeing his skills further in the Chooks 3x3 circuit.
ROS also boosted its already talent-loaded backcourt by nabbing Johnson, whom PBA coaches believe is a "first-round talent."
"Being able to draft Franky Johnson, who plenty of coaches feel has first round talent, in the second round no less, we're in a position where we won't look a gift horse in the mouth," shared Gavina.
"We're grateful we got Franky at that position and we're looking forward to seeing both players express themselves this coming season."
Not one to shy away from physicality, the 6-foot-2 Johnson toiled in the 3x3 league's Patriot's Cup, earning a Most Valuable Player plum while leading the Phenom Basilan to the championship.
Johnson's Philippine basketball experience also includes seeing action for Marinerong Pilipino, Gamboa Coffee Mix and AMA Online in the PBA D-League.
The former NCAA Division II school standout from Virginia Union in 2015 and the NAIA Division II school Warner Pacific the year after, will bring stability at the backcourt and solid scoring.
Rain or Shine's move to inject young blood got an even further boost upon drafting former Ateneo team skipper Anton Asistio and ex-La Salle guard Andrew Caracut in the second round.