Coach Yeng Guiao said Leonard Santillan is showing signs of becoming a reliable player for Rain or Shine in the coming Season 48 of the PBA.
This is based on Santillan’s performance in the preseason tourney, where he is averaging an all-around game of 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
Thanks to Santillan’s exploits, the Elasto Painters are poised to finish second behind Magnolia by the time the meet finishes on Sunday.
The Elasto Painters carry an 8-2 record and will end their campaign against the Meralco Bolts on Friday.
“Santi has been playing good games. We just wanted to capitalize on that, give him more confidence, encourage him to take more shots, and be more active vocally doon sa mga kasama niya,” said Guiao.
The 6-foot-4 Cebuano cager was the team’s first-round pick (no. 5 overall) during the 2020 draft, at a time when Guiao was still with NLEX.
But in the short time he has been with the team in his second tour of duty, Guiao already appreciates the value of Santillan.
“Santi is going to be a key player on this team, if he is not a key player already,” said the fiery basketball coach.
“So tingin namin ‘yung generation ng mga bata na kasama sa team ngayon, isa siya sa mga pillars ng mga young players namin. That’s good news for us, also for Santi. He’s building up his confidence, his game,” said Guiao.
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