From a team that doesn't do well in the draft, the TNT Tropang GIGA is taking a lot of good rookies. Last season, they traded their first-round pick for Rain or Shine second-round pick, Henry Galinato. While trading down is bad, if you think about it, TNT just sacrificed a couple of spots because they won the PBA Governors' Cup. Also, one of the reasons why they got lucky was the acquisition of rookie free agent Kim Aurin. The former Perpetual Alta left the NCAA Season 99 early to join Ginebra's 3X3 squad. When he was left unsigned in the 2023 PBA Draft, TNT swooped in to acquire his rights and he has been consistently part of their second unit.
This brings me to their current rookie find, Jielo Razon. Aurin's former college teammate is one of two rookies in the Tropang GIGA lineup. Unlike CJ Payawal who was acquired by TNT after being left unsigned by Phoenix, Razon went undrafted in the 2024 PBA Draft.
I thought it was shady as heck, like how Bonnie Tan got Fran Yu in the fourth round of the 2023 PBA Draft. If you check out my 2024 PBA mock drafts, I even have Razon in the second round. After spending time in the MPBL, and working with TNT as a practice player, Razon is slowly making his way into Chot Reyes' rotation.
And speaking of new faces, the Commissioner's Cup has brought in a bunch of new faces from different basketball journeys. Jerom Lastimosa is finally playing after being sidelined for almost a year. Jordan Heading is finally playing in the PBA because Converge got Terrafirma to trade his rights for a couple of second-stringers. Pao Javillonar has finally debuted after finishing his college eligibility with the Letran Knights. JB Bahio is finally in the PBA after being left out in 2023. Finally, the MPBL has released a bunch of names led by Mark Nonoy, CJ Catapusan, Mike Malonzo, Razon, Kurt Reyson, and 2024 top pick Justine Baltazar.
Balti just finished an MPBL where he led the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to their second consecutive title. He was also named MVP and Finals MVP for a second consecutive time as well, and he's probably going to be a force in the PBA in due time.
That said, Sedrick Barefield continues to rise above all rookies. He is Blackwater's star player, especially with the departure of Troy Rosario. He even scored 33 points in this conference, considering that Blackwater's import is an offensive powerhouse in George King.
Anyway, here are the Top 15 names in the Commissioner's Cup.
RANK | PLAYER | TEAM | STATS |
1 | SEDRICK BAREFIELD | BLACKWATER | 20.8PPG – 4.3RPG – 3.8APG – 0.8SPG |
2 | JEROM LASTIMOSA | MAGNOLIA | 17.0PPG – 3.8RPG – 3.8APG – 1.0SPG |
3 | JORDAN HEADING | CONVERGE | 14.8PPG – 4.3RPG – 5.8APG |
4 | EVAN NELLE | NORTHPORT | 7.0PPG – 5.4RPG – 4.8APG – 1.2SPG |
5 | RJ ABARRIENTOS | GINEBRA | 10.0PPG – 3.3RPG – 4.3APG – 0.7SPG |
6 | MARK NONOY | TERRAFIRMA | 10.8PPG – 2.6RPG – 1.4APG – 1.2SPG |
7 | FELIX LEMETTI | RAIN OR SHINE | 8.0PPG – 2.7RPG – 4.3APG |
8 | CAELAN TIONGSON | RAIN OR SHINE | 12.0PPG – 3.0RPG – 0.7APG |
9 | JUSTINE BALTAZAR | CONVERGE | 5.0PPG – 4.0RPG – 3.0APG – 1.0SPG |
10 | XYRUS TORRES | NLEX | 9.8PPG – 1.8RPG – 1.0APG |
11 | KAI BALLUNGAY | PHOENIX | 7.3PPG – 4.0RPG – 0.3BPG |
12 | JONNEL POLICARPIO | NLEX | 5.0PPG – 3.7RPG – 1.3APG |
13 | CJ CATAPUSAN | TERRAFIRMA | 5.4PPG – 3.8RPG – 1.0APG |
14 | JIELO RAZON | TNT | 1.3PPG – 4.3RPG – 1.0APG – 0.7SPG |
15 | KURT REYSON | MERALCO | 7.0PPG – 1.0SPG |