2025 PBA DRAFT | WHO SHOULD TERRAFIRMA PICK?

One of the primary reasons the PBA urged the UAAP to modify its draft process may be attributed to the Terrafirma Dyip.

This is a team with no winning tradition — and at times, it feels like they don’t even want one. Their top picks barely get a season to shine before being shipped off to contenders, where their numbers take a nosedive.

Fans celebrated when Terrafirma was disbanded, seeing it as one less farm team in the PBA. But the moment they were revived, or their "Lazarus" moment, the Dyip went right back to their old ways by trading away their best asset, Javi Gomez de Liano, for Magnolia’s spare parts.

Ouch.

Sure, Jerrick Ahanmisi is a legit four-point threat, but they should have demanded more. Ahanmisi’s stock with the Hotshots had already dipped thanks to rookies Jerom Lastimosa and Peter Alfaro stealing the spotlight.

Now, with the draft only weeks away and no DJ Fenner or other international stars in the pool, the question is: what will Terrafirma do with the No. 1 pick, aside from flipping it for scraps? The PBA has been lobbying hard for UAAP players to join the draft sooner, but the collegiate league only agreed to release them after the 2025 PBA Draft — which, ironically, might be a blessing. Why? Because Terrafirma’s picking first.

I’ll be honest: I used to root for Terrafirma and NorthPort when they at least looked like they were trying to win. But after NorthPort lost Arvin Tolentino and Terrafirma waved goodbye to Stephen Holt, Juami Tiongson, and Javi GDL — all to spite Johnedel Cardel's PBA coaching record — what’s left to cheer for?

At this point, I’d rather see them trade their top pick on draft day than force another rookie into basketball purgatory.

But if disbanding is off the table, and if they want to save face with the PBA fanbase, there’s one name that makes sense.

Jason F'N Brickman.

Hear me out. I’ve been harsh on Terrafirma, but the last time they were remotely competitive, they had a clear direction. Brickman has ALWAYS brought direction. He led the Westports Malaysia Dragons to an ABL title a decade ago and has been steering teams ever since. Yes, he’s 34, but that’s exactly the point — if Terrafirma eventually parts ways with him, it won’t sting like the CJ Perez or Christian Standhardinger debacles.

Juan Gomez de Liano, if taken first, could easily pull a Steve Francis and refuse to play. And let’s be real: being drafted by Terrafirma is like paying a tax — no playoff bonuses, no winning culture, just hard minutes and wasted years. That’s why a vet like Brickman fits. Even someone like Standhardinger, if he ever comes back, would need a true point guard to feed him clean looks instead of grinding everything on his own. Same goes for Terrence Romeo, who looked lost last season. Injuries aside, Romeo desperately needs structure, and Brickman could be the one to give it.

Of course, going international again has risks. Talents like Juan GDL or Dalph Panopio are always looking for greener pastures — namely, teams that can give them the grind, glory, and bonuses that Terrafirma can’t. But Brickman is different. He came to the Philippines to settle down, meaning stability is his priority. He’ll take the paycheck, endure the Dyip’s chaos, and wait until an SMC team pulls him out.

A young PG like Juan GDL and Panopio won’t help them. A raw center like Geo Chiu or Will Gozum would only clog up Louie Sangalang’s growth and kill the pipe dream of a C-Stan return. What Terrafirma needs is someone who can run the show right now — someone with experience, leadership, and the ability to make their stars look better. In short, their best rookie move is to draft the most veteran player in the pool.

Terrafirma's first pick?

Just let Jason Brickman save the other hopefuls.

Get Sydrified.