Villegas, Datu ink 3-year deals with ROS

First-round picks Luis Villegas and Keith Datu inked separate three-year rookie deals with Rain or Shine, just three days after being selected by the team during the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft held at the Market! Market! in Taguig.

Luis VIllegas (left) and Keith Datu PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO

The two young big men were selected third and fourth overall, respectively and are seen as key building blocks for coach Yeng Guiao, who is trying to put together a team that will try to end a seven-year PBA title drought.

The Elasto Painters last won a league championship in the 2016 Commissioner's Cup.

Villegas, listed at 6-foot-7, had a one-and-done season in the UAAP while playing for the UE Red Warriors.

The agile big man's only collegiate stint saw him submit solid averages of 13.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals en route to earning a UAAP Mythical selection.

Before joining the PBA draft, Villegas sharpened his skills further by playing for TNT in the PBA 3×3 where he unfortunately tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) on his knee. He's currently recovering but will surely contribute and blossom under Guiao once healthy.

On the other hand, Datu is another skilled 6-foot-7 forward, who like Villegas, player in the PBA 3×3 at Wilcon.

ROS' veteran big men Beau Belga and Jewel Ponferada are expected to mentor the two rookie big men.