After two failed chances, Rain or Shine has finally found a replacement for import Steve Taylor Jr.
That’s Ryan Pearson, who came from the same school that produced resident Elasto Painter Gabe Norwood.
Multiple sources told Daily Tribune that Pearson is set to arrive in time for the Elasto Painters’ game on 11 November against a crack Bay Area team at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Taylor played his last game on 4 November in which his last shot lifted the Elasto Painters with a 76-75 win over Northport.
But Taylor has been under scrutiny, with head coach Yeng Guiao harping he wanted more consistency in his game.
Twice in past two weeks, Rain or Shine tried to bring in a replacement for Taylor.
The team tried to get Jalen Canty on board, to no avail, as well as former Blackwater import MJ Rhett, who also passed up the offer.
With Pearson, Rain or Shine is making sure it can maximize an import in this conference and in the coming Governors’ Cup.
“We want to take a look at him if he’ll be eligible for the Governors Cup,” said a source who requested anonymity.
Another source added Rain or Shine is now working on the flight details of Pearson, who is listed 6-foot-6 and might make it to the height limit in the season-ending conference.
“We found a flight for Wednesday (9 November) which means he can be here on Thursday morning (10 November) but we’re hoping to get a Tuesday flight so he can be here Wednesday the earliest,” added the source.
Pearson last played in the Puerto Rican League for the Vaqueros de Bayamon, but he also played in 2021 in Uruguay where he averaged 14 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
