By Rey Joble

RAIN or Shine has retooled its backcourt by securing the dynamic duo rookies Gabe Norwood and Solomon Mercado.

Now, the Elasto Painters are one big man away from becoming a serious title contender.

A wide-bodied player within the 6?6? height limit, Jai Lewis, who was a former National Football League player, is being seriously considered by the Elasto Painters to become their import in the Reinforced Conference.

Listed at 6?7?, Lewis was a former New York Giants offensive tackler and an ex-teammate of Norwood with the George Mason University Patriots.

Lewis, who is turning 26 next month, is the premier inside force of the Patriots during their Cinderella run to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four in 2006.

Playing power forward, he averaged 13 points and led the team in rebounding with 7.5 caroms per game and blocked shots (31 in one season).

But Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia is not in a rush to secure the services of Lewis as the team is looking at other options and is more focused in its quarterfinal-round campaign against defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty.

?It?s too early to decide. But Lewis is a big man and a former teammate of Norwood so he won?t feel like a stranger sa team namin,? bared Garcia in a text message sent to Standard Today.

Lewis worked to prove he could play in the National Football League as either an offensive tackle or a tight end. He worked out for five teams?the Oakland Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles, the St. Louis Rams, the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Giants.