By Rey Joble

AN ALL-AROUND player, who was once a collegiate teammate of Gabe Norwood, will be the new import of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters beginning Thursday.

Jai Lewis, who plays basketball, football and baseball throughout his young career, will try to become the redeemer of an Elasto Painters? squad seeking its first Final Four appearance in three seasons in the pro league.

A former National Football League stalwart from the New York Giants and an ex-baseball player from Japan, the wide-bodied, 6?6? forward Lewis played alongside Norwood with the George Mason University Patriots.

Lewis arrived in the country Sunday night. Rain or Shine co-team owner Raymond Yu confirmed the news to Standard Today in a text message that the 27-year-old banger will be the new import of the Elasto Painters.

He will replace returning import Charles Clark, who has become the temporary reinforcement of the Dragons in their first two games.

Lewis was 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).

Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia patiently waited for the availability of Lewis, who played recently in Israel.

?Lewis is a big man and a former teammate of Norwood so he won?t feel like a stranger sa team namin,? said Garcia. ?More importantly, I think he will provide the inside presence that we sorely lack.?

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

He also suited up for the Rera Kamuy Hokkaido, this time as a baseball player in Japan.