Author: Bon Maddagan
If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, please click here to read this article.
Disclaimer: The rankings presented are subjective and based on the author’s criteria and perspective as a long-time fan of basketball. They do not in any way claim to be perfect and definitive.
05. Caelan Tiongson
- Team: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
- Age: 32 years old
- Height: 6’5”
- Pick: 1st Pick 7th Overall
- Playing Position: Power Forward
- School: Biola University
- Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Next to this list is a Fil-Am defensive specialist, something that the Elasto Painters are in dire need of. Having played in numerous leagues abroad, including Taiwan’s T1 League as well as the recently defunct ASEAN Basketball League, you can count on this man’s experience and versatility to steady the Yeng Guaio-mentored squad. In his lone season with Taoyuan, Tiongson averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 19 games played. His numbers are not big on the offensive side but his elite defense made up for it. He can guard multiple positions and he rebounds the ball very well. On top of that, this guy is a hard worker. He plays tough and is extremely competitive. He will do what it takes for his team to win. Tiongson also participated in the William Jones Cup recently as a backup big man for coach Charles Tiu. Being 32, we can safely say that this man is more than ready to make his mark on the PBA.
04. Kainoa Ballungay
- Team: Phoenix Fuel Masters
- Age: 22 years old
- Height: 6’7”
- Pick: 1st Round 4th Overall
- Playing Position: Power Forward
- School: Cal State University | Ateneo de Manila University
- Hometown: Hawaii
Fuel Masters will surely love this big kid. A dependable scorer and a good rebounder. Ballungay made waves in the UAAP, where he averaged 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest. A 6’7″ big with good touches is definitely a plus in today’s game. This kid shot a whopping 47.4% in field goals converted in the league. Clearly, you can count on him to make baskets when his team needs them the most. With Ballungay spacing the floor, he will also allow teammates, Tyler Tio and Jason Perkins more room to operate. A recipe for disaster for the opposing teams. Not only that, but his high basketball IQ would give the opposing team problems; he excels in the pick and roll and he makes the right plays. He is also a decent rebounder and a great defender. Phoenix got themselves a gem right here.
03. Sedrick Barefield
- Team: Blackwater Bossing
- Age: 27 years old
- Height: 6’2”
- Pick: 1st round 2nd Overall
- Playing Position: Point Guard
- School: Southern Methodist University | University of Utah
- Hometown: Corona, California
The 2nd pick in the draft is third on this list. Given his credentials, we all know that this young guy is special. Not only did this guy play in the US NCAA Division 1, but he also played in the NBA G-league. He also competed on European soil, specifically in Lithuania and Greece. He also saw action in the EASL, where he helped the Taipei Fubon Braves claim third in the tournament. In just five games, Barefield registered 17.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He was also shooting a spectacular 46.2% in the three-point line. Given the tough level of the competition, this still kid shined. Barefield is a dynamic scorer who could very much fill the void of the departure made by Bossing’s star guard Rey Nambatac. His shotmaking and smarts would definitely make wonders for him in the PBA.
02. Justin Baltazar
- Team: Converge FiberXers
- Age: 27 years old
- Height: 6’9”
- Pick: 1st round 1st Overall
- Playing Position: Power Forward
- School: De La Salle University
- Hometown: Pampanga
Up next is the very 1st pick of the draft. Everyone knew who Balti was and what he was capable of doing. In fact, he is one of the most promising players that we have today. A multi-MVP and multi Champion. A man of his height and caliber should be a welcomed presence in the PBA. The big man in his stint with the Green Archers, no less than dominated as he secured three mythical team selections and a championship. Due to his stellar play, Baltazar had been drawing interest from both the KBL and the Japan B-league. You can also say that this guy is very experienced. As he is no stranger to world-class competitions. He is part of the National Team in 2021 who competed in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in which everyone can remember that they had a game where they challenged a high-ranked team in Serbia, finishing with a narrow defeat of 83-76. He also played twice for the Strong Group Athletics in Dubai, where he helped the team make the quarterfinals on their first try and secured the silver earlier this year. Baltazar initially applied for the draft in the 47th season but pulled out. The last thing we knew was that he was taking his talents to Japan. But things didn’t work out as everyone hoped. Later on, he joined the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL. He was more than special with the Giant Lanterns. In 2023, he led his team to a perfect 17-0 start and clinched the best record of 26-2. In that dream run, he averaged 31.1 points, 16.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 31 minutes of play. Ultimately giving him both the Season MVP and the Finals MVP in that Season. Pairing him with Justin Arana in the Frontcourt will surely turn the FiberXers into a menace. Not only is he good at attacking the basket, but he can also space the floor and he can also set up his teammates. He is also a very versatile player as he can guard different positions. He is consistent with his rebounding as well. Definitely a future superstar.
01. RJ Abarrientos
- Team: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
- Age: 24 years old
- Height: 5’11”
- Pick: 1st round 3rd Overall
- Playing Position: Point Guard
- School: Far Eastern University
- Hometown: Quezon City
And the number one spot goes to KBL Rookie of the Year in 2023. Abarrientos, with his potent offense, helped the Ulsan Mobis Phoebus finish fourth in the season after logging in 13.6 points, 2.7 triples, 4.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 29.1 minutes over 51 games. We are all aware of the level of competition in Korea. That’s why I’m pretty sure that his performance is no fluke, and he could easily replicate it in the PBA. Basketball surely runs in the blood as this kid is the nephew of the great Johnny A. His consistent shooting and his high basketball IQ are something he inherited from his uncle. This kid is very much ready for the PBA as he has seen a lot of actions abroad, going up against very talented opposition. In 2021, he became part of the national team that played in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers alongside fellow rookie Baltazar. Aside from the KBL, he also has played in the Japan B-league for the Shinsu Brave Warriors. But his latest stint came from the William Jones Cup Tournament in Taiwan where he helped the Strong Group Athletics finish the tournament with an unblemished 8-0 record, winning the gold again for the Philippines. He averaged 7.8 points on 40.6% shooting in three-point range, and he had a team-high 5.7 assists as well as 2.3 rebounds per game. Abarrientos is a genius on the court. His excellent playmaking and his steady three-point shooting are sure to be lethal with the Barangay. Playing alongside a defensive and do-it-all guard in Scottie Thompson will surely help to level up his game. With his talent and discipline, I’m pretty convinced that in a few more years, Abarrientos will put his name as one of the best players who ever played for the PBA.
Conclusion
And that’s it for our top 10 rookies for this year’s draft. With these extremely talented young guns, I’m convinced that the competition will get even better and more exciting. Expect nothing but tight matches, action-packed games, and just beautiful basketball. Be sure not to miss it. Kasi sa PBA, TAYO ANG BIDA.
*Cover photo sources: Tiebreaker Times, Spin.
*Photo credit: SGA photos, UAAP, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
