The PBA is finally back. And it returns with fresh faces who are ready to showcase their talents on the grandest basketball stage in the country. Who should we keep an eye on? What should we expect? Let's talk about some rookies to watch for in this coming conference, which kicks off on July 16 the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Joshua Munzon
First things first. The guy can score. He's a natural in putting the ball through the hoop, which makes him exactly the kind of player the Terrafirma Dyip needs right now. With the departure of CJ Perez, the PBA's reigning back-to-back scoring champion, the team will be looking for a dependable producer of points. Munzon has proven himself capable of that role. The 26-year-old has played in both local and international competitions. Wherever he plays, he brings in buckets. In one game in the PBA D-League, he went off for 46 points in a complete display of offensive mastery.
He should also fit Terrafirma's fast-paced, run-and-gun offense fluidly. Give Munzon an open court and he'll provide you with an instant highlight. But don't sleep on his defense either. He has long punished opponents with his quickness and instinct in passing lanes. Add in his experience in the 3x3 circuit, it won't be easy to shake him off in one-on-one situations. He's a rookie who'll make immediate impact in the league.
Jamie Malonzo
We remember him fondly for his aerial assaults in the UAAP. Remember that dunk on Thirdy Ravena? Nasty. But Malonzo was always much more than that. And he has further grown as a hooper. There was a lot of talent in the recent PBA Draft, but it didn't come as a shocker that Malonzo was picked up by NorthPort as the second overall selection. At 6-foot-6, he can play and defend multiple positions. We know about his ability near the basket, but his range might be an underrated part of his game. Malonzo can both fly and let it fly. That's the high value he brings to his new team. When the defense focuses too much on Robert Bolick, Malonzo can be there for a spot up or a backdoor cut.
If you think about it, he can be an additional Sean Anthony for the Batang Pier - a guy who's willing to do anything and everything to help the team. He once told ESPN5.com that he loves to play defense and that he always wants to guard the best player on the other team. Don't mistake that for brashness. Malonzo is simply out to help his team win and to prove that he belongs.
Calvin Oftana, NLEX Road Warriors
Basketball has evolved in so many ways. Yet through its evolution, one attribute has remained extremely important - versatility. That's the most impressive thing about Oftana. He's so skilled that it's difficult to box him into one specific position. When he was with San Beda, their system required him to be more of a stretch forward. So that's what he played. But he has always looked comfortable enough to handle the ball and be the one making the plays.
During his time with the Red Lions, Oftana's movement and positioning without the ball were exceptional. He scored and made impact in games even when plays weren't drawn up for him. That's the kind of player who thrives under Coach Yeng Guiao. The man has helped push the rise of numerous stars in the league. And he really only requires one thing from them - that they buy into his system unconditionally. That puts Oftana in a great situation with NLEX. Whether it's showing a different side of his game or continuing what he used to do in college, he has the tools for it. Believe this, he's going to be a problem for other teams.
Mikey Williams, TNT Tropang Giga
For most rookies, the jump to the pros is a daunting move. It's usually an attempt to answer the question, 'am I good enough?' With Williams, it feels different. The 29-year-old had done his rounds. He had stints in the NBA D-League and around Asia before finding a career back in his motherland. He has more than proven his wares in all those different leagues. So him taking the leap is a lot like settling down.
He enters the PBA with one of the more polished games among the rookies. There's some shades of Jayson Castro in him. He can finish in the toughest of ways as well as he can set his teammates up. Now call me crazy but there seems to be some Jimmy Alapag in him as well. He doesn't hesitate to shoot deep ones over the defense.
Williams will be inserted into a TNT unit that just parted ways with Simon Enciso and is missing Ray Parks. This should give him ample opportunities to impress. But the best opportunity presented to him right now? The chance to learn from The Blur.
Alvin Pasaol, Meralco Bolts
Air Sambokojin. That's what they called him. Because he looked nowhere near a prototype athlete. But while he'll gladly share a laugh with you over the moniker, he can easily show you he deserves to hoop on the highest level. In 2017, Pasaol dropped 49 points on a loaded DLSU squad. His UE Red Warriors still lost, but that shot him to fame. Some probably assumed it was an outlier of a performance. A lucky afternoon, perhaps. But then he kept getting buckets. 30-point performances became a regular occurrence. Even after the UAAP, Pasaol kept burning the nets in the PBA D-League, in the 3x3 circuit and pretty much wherever he played.
His offensive abilities paved the way for him to reach the PBA. However, he will no longer be asked to score half of his team's points on a nightly basis. It will be interesting to see how his game grows and what kind of role he'll be tasked with in Meralco. We'll also keep an eye on how that monicker of his evolves.