Three Players Rain or Shine Should Target in a Trade
I’ve always had a soft spot for Rain or Shine. As one of the few truly independent teams in the PBA, they don’t have the luxury of sister teams handing them talent through lopsided trades. They have to build their roster the hard way—through smart drafting, development, and the occasional bold trade.
But let’s be real: Rain or Shine needs a star-caliber player to take that next step. They’ve built a solid young core, but their lack of a true difference-maker in the frontcourt has held them back in recent years. The good news? There are potential trade targets that could immediately elevate the team.
Here are three players Rain or Shine should target in a trade:
#3 Moala Tautuaa
I still believe that Moala Tautuaa is a top-10 center in the PBA. He has the size, mobility, and inside presence that can change a playoff series. While he’s not the dominant force some expected him to be when he entered the league, he’s still an efficient scorer, solid rebounder, and versatile big man who can create mismatches against traditional bigs.
With San Miguel having an overloaded frontcourt, they might be open to moving Tautuaa for the right price. If Rain or Shine can make a competitive offer, they’d immediately upgrade their interior game and add a legitimate playoff weapon.
#2 James Laput
If Magnolia doesn’t value James Laput that much, Rain or Shine should take advantage and make a move. At 6’10 with a growing skill set, Laput has the potential to be a top-10 center in the PBA.
Rain or Shine has a history of developing young bigs (think Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan in their early years). Given consistent playing time and development, Laput could thrive in their system. Magnolia doesn’t seem to prioritize him in their rotation, so a well-structured trade could give Rain or Shine an underrated but high-upside big man for the future.
#1 Jason Perkins
If Phoenix is looking to unload their best player, Rain or Shine should be first in line to make an offer. Perkins is the perfect player for Rain or Shine—a tough, skilled, and versatile forward who fits their culture of grit and hard work.
Perkins is one of the best all-around forwards in the PBA. He can score inside, hit the midrange, and even stretch the floor while also playing solid defense against bigger opponents. If Phoenix is in selling mode, Rain or Shine has the young pieces and draft picks to make a deal work.
Final Thoughts
Rain or Shine doesn’t need to gut its roster to land one of these players, but they do need to be aggressive in trade discussions. A frontcourt boost could be the missing piece to take them from a pesky underdog to a legitimate playoff contender.
If they can land Tautuaa, Laput, or Perkins, Rain or Shine will be one step closer to shocking the PBA once again—just like they did in their championship years.
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