Summers perfect for Rain or Shine

RAIN or Shine is banking on the experience and smarts of NBA veteran Dajuan Summers after tapping the 6-foot-8 American forward as its import in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.

While the league adjusted its season opener from October 15 to November 5, coach Yeng Guiao said the team intends to bring Summers in by the end of September.

Dajuan Summers FIBA.BASKETBALL PHOTO 

“He’s (Summers) coming at the end of the month. He’s just resting right now in the U.S. after coming from a recent tournament in Bahrain in the Middle East,” Guiao told The Manila Times.

The fiery Rain or Shine coach said that even at age 35, Summers remains a solid big man, who can play the three or four spot for the Elasto Painters.

“Yes, we know he’s 35, but we’ve asked around and based on the recent video clips, we saw he’s still okay. In fact, in the last few weeks, he also participated in the Big 3 Tournament in the United States,” explained Guiao.

The 64-year-old Rain or Shine mentor also said they’ve asked current Converge and College of St. Benilde consultant Rajko Toroman for his input since the former Smart-Gilas coach used to serve as head coach for Al-Muharraq in Bahrain.

“He’s very skilled according to coach Rajko and he’s kind of a stretch big who can shoot from the outside,” added Guiao of Summers.

Summers emerged as the 35th overall pick of the Detroit Pistons in the 2009 NBA Draft after a productive college stint with Georgetown.

After his stint with the Pistons, Summers went on to play for the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Clippers and averaged 3.3 points and 1.0 rebound in 83 career NBA games.

Summers then moved overseas and played in Ukraine, Spain, Turkey, Korea, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain where he saw action for Homentmen and averaged 28.4 points, 16 rebounds and 1.8 assists.