ROOKIE RANKINGS | 2025-26 PBA COMCUP - START TO MAR 21

So finally, welcome to the Rookie Rankings. Once again, I had to postpone my bi-weekly list (or whenever work permits) because in the Philippine Cup, only three rookies have put up numbers worthy of recognition. To the surprise of no one, those same rookies are featured on this list.

Of the ten players who made the rankings, six saw action in the previous conference, while three of them began the season playing in other leagues. For now, I’m keeping this short and simple, since some of the players included are either injured or have yet to establish themselves with their respective PBA teams.

Game starts now!

10 | SHAWN UMALI | TERRAFIRMA DYIP

2025 | RD 2 PICK 18

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG
3	2.33	1.67	0.67	0.67

 

9 | BRYAN SAJONIA | TITAN ULTRA GIANT RISERS

2025 | RD 4 PICK 39

GP	PPG	RPG	APG
3	5.00	3.00	1.33

8 | JM BRAVO | TERRAFIRMA DYIP

2025 | RD 6 PICK 56

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG
3	6.00	2.00	1.00	0.33

7 | YUKIEN ANDRADA | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS

2025 | RD 1 PICK 6

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG
2	4.50	2.50	1.00	1.00

6 | JAMES UNA | BLACKWATER BOSSING

2025 | RD 4 PICK 38

GP	PPG	RPG	SPG	BPG
2	4.00	3.50	1.00	1.00

5 | DALPH PANOPIO | BLACKWATER BOSSING

2025 | RD 1 PICK 3

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG
2	5.50	1.00	3.00	0.50

4 | LJAY GONZALES | NLEX ROAD WARRIORS

2025 | RD 1 PICK 4

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG
2	8.00	4.50	2.50	1.50

3 | JASON BRICKMAN | MERALCO BOLTS

2025 | RD 1 PICK 7

GP	PPG	RPG	APG
2	9.50	4.50	5.00

2 | GEO CHIU | TERRAFIRMA DYIP

2025 | RD 1 PICK 1

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG
3	7.33	11.67	1.33	1.33

1 | JUAN GOMEZ DE LIANO | CONVERGE FIBERXERS

2025 | RD 1 PICK 2

GP	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG
2	12.50	4.50	6.00	0.50

Terrafirma and Blackwater have the most players on this list. Geo Chiu has yet to fine-tune his offense, but it feels like his arrival has given Terrafirma the bit of luck the franchise has long been craving. Then again, it might also be Shawn Umali, who has been reunited with his former LPU Pirates teammate JM Bravo before Bravo transferred to the Benilde Blazers.

Dalph Panopio’s numbers have dipped considerably following RK Ilagan’s return to the lineup, but James Una’s stock has risen as he has emerged as the team’s top big man behind imports Daniel Ochefu and Christian David. Of course, topping the list is Juan Gomez de Liano. Yes, he missed Converge’s game against the Meralco Bolts, but he still owns the best all-around averages among all rookies.

The Commissioner’s Cup also saw the entries of Jason Brickman and Ljay Gonzales. While Gonzales did appear in one Philippine Cup game, this was effectively his first full elimination-round exposure. Yukien Andrada is in a similar situation, although he managed to sneak into an elimination-round game with the Magnolia Hotshots before the playoffs began.

Rounding out the list is Titan Ultra’s Bryan Sajonia, who I still can’t believe fell to the fourth round despite his obvious talent. The conference also saw the debuts of Will Gozum, Joshua David, Vince Magbuhos, Mark Denver Omega, and Jun Roque. Hopefully, one of these names—along with Chris Koon, John Lloyd Clemente, Mark Sangco, Sonny Estil, Christian Manaytay, Chris Miller, Dave Ando, and Cedrick Abis—will eventually find their way into the Top 10 of the rankings.