2025 PBA PHILIPPINE CUP | ROOKIE RANKINGS | START TO MAY 14

PBA / RAPPLER

Rookies don’t always get to strut their stuff right away in the PBA, especially in import-laden conferences.

Some find themselves buried on the bench behind established veterans. Others seize the opportunity, turning early exposure into stat sheets that scream potential.

This year’s batch is no different—filled with Fil-Ams, homegrown collegiate stars, and returnees from international stints. With the Philippine Cup underway, it’s time to break down which rookies are truly making waves, which ones are quietly carving out roles, and which ones might need a little more time (or a little more playing time).

1 | JUSTINE BALTAZAR | CONVERGE

13.9 PPG | 13.3 RPG | 2.4 APG

The former DLSU big man and MPBL two-time MVP came in with expectations sky-high, and he’s lived up to the hype. Averaging a double-double, Baltazar has been the most consistent rookie on both ends of the floor. Whether it's grabbing boards or hitting mid-range jumpers, he’s the anchor Converge desperately needs. Easily the early Rookie of the Year frontrunner, if we disregard the fact that he missed the Governors' Cup.

2 | KAI BALLUNGAY | PHOENIX

19.2 PPG | 9.5 RPG | 0.8 APG

If scoring were the sole metric, Ballungay would be the top dog. The stretch forward from Ateneo has been a revelation for Phoenix this conference, showing a confident scoring touch from inside and out. Right now, especially with the current Phoenix lineup, he’s looking like a future 20-10 guy with star potential.

3 | CAELAN TIONGSON | RAIN OR SHINE

17.7 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 3.7 APG

The Rain or Shine gamble on the former Asian league baller is paying off. The seasoned pro combines smart shot selection with unselfish passing. His physicality allows him to thrive in Coach Yeng’s system, and while he’s not flashy, his all-around game is impossible to ignore.

4 | SEDRICK BAREFIELD | BLACKWATER

18.0 PPG | 2.3 RPG | 3.8 APG

Barefield, barring injuries, is a bucket. The Utah Utes product can score from anywhere on the floor, and Blackwater has given him the green light. The only knock? His defense and rebounding are works in progress. But for a team that needs offense, Barefield’s production is a shot in the arm.

5 | RJ ABARRIENTOS | GINEBRA

14.4 PPG | 2.8 RPG | 4.6 APG

Being a rookie in Ginebra is no joke—minutes are hard to come by. But the former King FEU Tamaraw has found his moments, and boy, does he deliver. With his crafty handles and court vision, he brings a different flavor to the Ginebra offense. If he continues to improve in his playmaking and defense, he could be the heir apparent to LA Tenorio.

6 | JB BAHIO | NLEX

11.0 PPG | 8.3 RPG | 2.7 APG

What a free agent steal for Jong Uichico and the Road Warriors. Bahio isn’t loud with his game, but he’s solid as a rock. As a hustle big, he gives NLEX steady minutes and isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint. The former 2023 PBA Draft third-round's blue-collar style won’t get him headlines, but he has found his spot in NLEX. Definitely a sneaky-impact rookie.

7 | JEROM LASTIMOSA | MAGNOLIA

9.5 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 4.0 APG

Continuing from his exceptional last conference, Jerom continues to play with heart. He’s quick, fearless, and has shown flashes of brilliance as a floor general. Magnolia’s system can be tough to crack, given how Chito Victolero plays his players, but if he keeps grinding, he’ll slowly take the minutes from veterans Paul Lee and Mark Barroca soon enough.

8 | MARK NONOY | TERRAFIRMA

9.6 PPG | 1.7 RPG | 1.6 APG

Nonoy’s speed is his calling card, and with Terrafirma giving him minutes, he’s shown promise as a slasher. The next step? Consistency, efficiency, and better decision-making. For now, though, he's holding his own in a team either still searching for an identity or a key asset when Terrafirma can sell their franchise.

9 | MJ GARCIA | CONVERGE

6.7 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 1.9 APG

While Baltazar grabs the spotlight, MJ Garcia has quietly made his mark as a steady glue guy. His stats won’t jump off the page, but his championship experience with Pampanga in the MPBL shows—he knows how to operate within the Delta Pineda system. Not bad for someone taken 72nd overall in the 2023 PBA Draft.

10 | BRANDON RAMIREZ | NLEX

9.5 PPG | 4.7 RPG | 0.5 APG

Another player from the Pampanga championship crew, Brandon Ramirez brings energy and effort to NLEX. For a team in need of frontline depth, he provides instant toughness off the bench. He’s still figuring things out, but the tools are there.

And here are the rest of the Top 20.

RANK	TEAM	ROOKIE RANKINGS	PPG	RPG	APG
1	CONV	JUSTINE BALTAZAR	13.9	13.3	2.4
2	PHX	KAI BALLUNGAY	19.2	9.5	0.8
3	ROS	CAELAN TIONGSON	17.7	6.0	3.7
4	BLACK	SEDRICK BAREFIELD	18.0	2.3	3.8
5	GIN	RJ ABARRIENTOS	14.4	2.8	4.6
6	NLEX	JB BAHIO	11.0	8.3	2.7
7	MAG	JEROM LASTIMOSA	9.5	3.0	4.0
8	TERRA	MARK NONOY	9.6	1.7	1.6
9	CONV	MJ GARCIA	6.7	3.7	1.9
10	NLEX	BRANDON RAMIREZ	9.5	4.7	0.5
11	NLEX	XYRUS TORRES	12.3	1.5	1.2
12	MER	CJ CANSINO	9.3	2.6	1.0
13	TERRA	CJ CATAPUSAN	9.3	3.9	0.6
14	ROS	FELIX PANGILINAN-LEMETTI	6.0	2.0	3.8
15	NORTH	EVAN NELLE	5.2	2.8	3.0
16	MER	KURT REYSON	9.2	1.8	1.0
17	ROS	MIKE MALONZO	5.3	3.3	0.3
18	MAG	PETER ALFARO	6.3	1.5	1.7
19	TNT	CJ PAYAWAL	4.7	1.3	0.3
20	TERRA	PAOLO HERNANDEZ	2.7	1.9	0.7

This rookie class might not have the glitz and glamour of previous years, but make no mistake—there’s real talent brewing here. From rebounding machines to dynamic guards and microwave scorers, several names on this list could define the PBA’s next generation.

Get Sydrified.