Rain or Shine rookies Jervy Cruz and Marcy Arellano are expected to sign separate deals on Friday that will finalize the team’s roster for the next PBA season.

Cruz, the one-time UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) from University of Santo Tomas, was selected by the Elasto Painters as the fifth overall pick while Arellano, who played for University of the East in the UAAP, was 15th overall in the PBA Rookie Draft held last Sunday.

“We are very excited with the two players. I personally saw them do some drills during practice,” said Raymund Yu, who co-owns the team with Terry Que. “I think Jervy can help us in the rebounding department, while Marcy adds depth to our backcourt as an off the bench player.”

Cruz is expected to get the maximum allowable contract of P150,000, per month while Arellano and the management are still negotiating the exact figures.

The team is also considering tapping the services of former Ateneo star Macky Escalona as back-up to former La Salle ace TY Tang.

The 6-foot-4 Cruz, according to Que, will be offered a three-year contract.

“If he plays good in the first two years with the team, we will give him a raise on his third year in the team,” said Que.

Rain or Shine mentor Caloy Garcia said Cruz will provide them versatility at the frontline with his athleticism and quickness.

“Jervy is a quick guy and he’s very aggressive on the boards,” Garcia said.

Cruz will share minutes at the forward positions with last season’s Rookie of the Year, Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, Mark Isip, Allan Salansang, and Eddie Laure.

Cruz will reunite with former PBL teammate (Hapee Toothpaste) Norwood.

“We need his athleticism. He can actually play the three spot because of his quickness. Despite his lack of for his size, he can compensate it with his quickness,” Garcia added.

“As for Marcy, he can easily adjust to our system because he played with me when I coached Sista. Both players will also adjust well with the other players dahil mga bata pa naman halos lahat.”