Rain or Shine had already taken the first time in acquiring forward Mac Belo after completing the trade with Meralco.
Now comes the next part: signing up the 6-foot-3, former top overall pick in the Philippine Basketball Association special draft.
Head coach Yeng Guiao told Daily Tribune that he wants to bring back the confidence level of Belo, once a promising player, but became a nearly forgotten man in the PBA as his career was riddled by various injuries which impeded his progress of becoming a star player.
But to give Belo this opportunity, the former Far Eastern University standout, who led the team to the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines championship in 2015, will need to sign first a contract with the Elasto Painters and make his inclusion in the team official.
"His contract with Meralco had just ended, so when we acquired him, he's already a free agent," said Guiao in a telephone conversation. "The only thing that we were able to get is his rights, but we still need to sign him up and utilize him in the preseason."
The PBA preseason starts this Sunday and Rain or Shine hopes to sign him up before 26 May where the Elasto Painters will play NLEX at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.
But Belo is already included in the Elasto Painters' 13-man line up and Guiao is confident that the player will sign up next week and start playing for the squad.
Guiao had wanted to get Belo as early as two years ago, but Meralco was able to beat Rain or Shine to the draw in getting the former UAAP Finals MVP.
" Of course, there's a big difference now from the player I was trying to get two years ago," said Guiao, referring to Belo, whom he would try to get when he was still general manager and head coach of the Road Warriors back in 2021.
"You could tell that his level of confidence is still low as he had rarely played for Meralco because of various injuries. But I'd like to bring his confidence back and this preseason tournament will be a good opportunity."
Despite his condition, Belo still remains on the radar of Guiao and sought for the promising, but often-injured player.
"We really initiated the trade to get his services because I feel, he can still be an asset if he's healthy and he's healthier now," added Guiao.