Incoming Rain or Shine import Jaylen Johnson may not be a seven-foot reinforcement just like players tapped by some of the teams ahead of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But he’s coming in highly recommended by no less than his teammate, Gilas Pilipinas player Kevin Quiambao.
“We asked from recommendation from KQ. Minsan nakiki practice kasi sa amin yan. Yung teammate niya na si Jaylen Johnson yung ni-recommend niya,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “Ang sabi niya sa amin, magaling daw ito, kaso kulang lang sa minuto dahil parang back up import lang siya doon sa Korea.”
Listed 6-foot-9, Johnson arrived on Thursday morning. He played for the Goyang Sono Skygunners for the 2025-2026 season where he saw action along with Quiambao. When his contract ended just recently, he went home to the United States and there before getting a call up and being signed up by the Elasto Painters.
“He looks OK, but we don’t really know what shape he is in. Bukas pa lang magpa-practice,” wrote Guiao via Viber.
Guiao opted for versatility over size.
“Most of the time, yung magagaling na seven footers who can play inside and out, can defend, can shoot and run, they’re already playing in the NBA or in Europe,” said Guiao. “So yung mga matitira are big imports, but had difficulty catching up with our fast-pace style of play.”
“But Jaylen is big enough to defend the bigger imports because mahaba rin naman siya and versatile enough. We noticed how active he was, defending the paint, running the floor, scoring inside and shooting from the perimeter, which has always been a requirement for our big men.”
