PBA’s rookie survivors

Since the start of the PBA Philippine Cup this season, 18 rookies played at least a game and 15 were taken from the last draft. There were 128 initial applicants for the recent draft and 77 were picked, meaning the survival rates were 19.5 percent of draftees and 11.7 percent of applicants. More rookies are expected when MPBL ends its season with Terrafirma’s Geo Chiu, Phoenix’ Will Gozum, Rain or Shine’s Christian Manaytay, NLEX’ LJay Gonzales, Titan’s CJ Austria and Meralco’s Jason Brickman tipped to jump aboard. Magnolia’s Yukien Andrada and Converge’s Mark Omega will move in after the NCAA campaign.

Of 18 rookies, two were chosen before this year’s draft. Titan’s Arvie Bringas, 35, was selected on the fourth round by Kia in 2017 and Converge’s John Lloyd Clemente, 27, was named on the fourth round by Phoenix in 2023. Converge’s JR Raflores, 31, was undrafted in 2023. Waiting in the wings to play is rookie James Una, Blackwater’s fourth round pick in the last draft. Omega was Rain or Shine’s second round choice but his rights were traded to Converge.

From the last draft, five first-rounders were signed up – Converge’s Juan Gomez de Liaño, Blackwater’s Dalph Panopio, Magnolia’s Chris Koon, San Miguel Beer’s Chris Miller and Ginebra’s Sonny Estil. Three were second-rounders – Titan’s Mario Barasi, Phoenix’ Dave Ando and Titan’s Kobe Monje. Four were third-rounders – NLEX’ Lorenz Capulong, San Miguel Beer’s Royce Mantua, Magnolia’s Gab Gomez and Blackwater’s Jack Dumont. Meralco’s Jeff Comia was a fifth rounder, Terrafirma’s JM Bravo a sixth and Terrafirma’s Ira Bateller a seventh.

Bravo, 25, has been the surprise of the rookie crop. It will be recalled that last year, he was knocked unconscious in an NCAA game and rushed to the hospital on a stretcher. And early this year, his father passed away. Bravo and JGDL lead rookie scorers with identical 14.6 clips. The Lyceum standout tops rookie rebounders with an 8.4 norm.

Only four rookies are logging at least 20 minutes a game. JGDL is averaging 31:14, Bravo 28:59, Koon 23:06 and Panopio, 20:31. The rookie assist leader is JGDL with 9.4 a game. JGDL is also No. 1 in +/- efficiency at 48. In three-point conversions, Bravo has hit 10, JGDL eight and Koon seven. Bravo, JGDL and Dumont have knocked down a four-pointer each. JGDL has registered two triple doubles and a double double.

Meanwhile, the rash of veterans switching teams is significant with 33 transfers so far. San Miguel, NLEX and Meralco are the only teams without a veteran transfer. Phoenix and Titan brought in six veteran transfers apiece while Terrafirma welcomed five and Converge and Magnolia, four each.