FROM the 61 neophytes selected during the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft last March, only 24 players were lined up for the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup, which started last Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Magnolia Hotshots will be parading the most rookies during the All-Filipino conference at four in Jerrick Ahanmisi, Loren Brill, Alvin Capobres, and Ronnie de Leon – who was part of a previous rookie draft.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters has three rookies in Leonard Santillan, Andrei Caracut, and Anton Asistio, while Alaska Aces also has three in Benedict Adamos, Regile Ilagan, and Taylor Browne.
Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters will also compete with three newbies in Larry Muyang, Aljun Melecio, and Nick Demusis. The same goes with Blackwater Bossing in Andre Paras, Joshua Torralba, and Rey Mark Acuño.
Having two rookies each are Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (Brian Enriquez and Ken Holmqvist), Terrafirma Dyip (Joshua Munzon and James Laput), NorthPort Batang Pier (Jamie Malonzo and Troy Rike), and Meralco Bolts (Alvin Pasaol and Michael Cañete). Just like De Leon, Cañete was from a previous rookie draft.
Teams with one rookie each were TNT KaTropa in Mikey Williams and NLEX Road Warriors in Calvin Oftana. San Miguel Beermen was the only team that does not have a rookie.
Meanwhile, 26 PBA veterans will also be suiting up for new teams this season led by Ilonggo Clint Doliguez, Sidney Onwubere, Jerrick Balanza, and Jeepy Faundo of Batang Pier.
Vic Manuel, Chris Banchero, Bryan Faundo, and Michael Calisaan are now with the Fuel Masters, Baser Amer, Simon Enciso, Kelly Nabong, and David Semerad with Bossing, Glenn Khobutin, Brian Heruela, Dave Marcelo, and Gryann Mendoza of KaTropa.
Also donning new jerseys were Christian Standhardinger and Mer Ayaay of the Kings, Angelo Alolino and Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser of the Dyip, Calvin Abueva and Russel Escoto of Hotshots, Jaymar Perez of the Beermen, Mark Belo of the Bolts, Bradwyn Guinto of the Painters and Celedonio Trollano of the Road Warriors.
There are also nine players, which were making their PBA return in Kelly Williams, Chris Exciminiano and Chris Javier of KaTropa, Yousef Taha and Gabriel Banal of the Aces, James Sena and Alfonso Gotladera of the Beermen, Siverino Baclao of the Bolts, and Gregory Slaughter of the Batang Pier.
Some notable players were not part of the PBA anymore in Shej Roi Sumang, Alex Mallari, Kevin Racal, Diego Dario, Nico Salva, Kris Rosales, Ryan Arana, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr./PN
