2015 PBA Philippine Cup: Rookie Report Card

One guy's been delivering, the other subpar
(Photo credit to Spin.ph)

Before things start to get too crazy in the PBA Philippine Cup Playoffs, here is our "Report Card" on the 2015 PBA Draft 1st rounders. With teams like Meralco and Mahindra now out of contention, we feel that now is the best time to come up with such since who knows what roles the rooks will play once the imports come in for the next two conferences (history says that they will probably and most likely enjoy reduced roles).

Special mention goes out to Mahinda's Bradwyn Guinto (24mpg 9ppg 9rpg) and NLEX's Simon Enciso (26mpg 8ppg 2rpg 3apg) for basically playing their way into their respective team's rotation and showing that while they were picked late (both 2nd rounders), hard work is always rewarded even in a league chockfull of talent and stars.

Oh, and Rain or Shine's Don Trollano is Mr. YOLO. God bless him.


12. Josan Nimes, SF, Rain or Shine
Stats: 9mpg 3ppg 1rpg 1apg

Nimes has legitimate Grade A basketball IQ, he knows when and where to pass, how to position himself on defense and actually plays a lot like a veteran PG. What is lacking at the moment is some aggressiveness, he hasn't shown a willingness to hit and get hit and most often is happy just creating plays for others. Kumbaga, nahihiya pa.

Grade: C


11. Kevin Racal, SF, Alaska
Stats: 8mpg 3ppg 1rpg 1ppg

Racal is a solid two-way player who is probably not strong enough to be asked to guard PBA-level small forwards just yet. A little more seasoning and he should be fine. That is, if Tony dela Cruz ever decides to let go of his death grip on the Aces' minutes at small forward.

Grade: INC

10. Glenn Khobuntin, SF, NLEX
Stats: 14mpg 4ppg 2rpg 1apg

Not entirely sure if Khobuntin understands which position he should be playing in the PBA. He's been having some trouble guarding PBA hybrid fours, and has been a bit slow moving his feet in defending threes. Should take notes from teammate Sean Anthony.

Grade: C

9. Art dela Cruz, SF, Blackwater
Stats: 24mpg 11ppg 5rpg 2apg

Every time Dela Cruz is on the court, with Mike Cortez, the Elite look and play like an actual pro team. He is just efficient with the ball and moves well without it. Going into the season we were worried about his footspeed at small forward, but he has been working his ass off keeping in step with all of his assignments.

Grade: A

8. Norbert Torres, C, Star
Stats: 9mpg 3ppg 3rpg 

He was making threes early. But we doubt that his shooting was why Coach Jason Webb took him at this spot. They would have been better off drafting Guinto, who could easily address Star's lack of a legitimate, STRONG, two-way post man.

Grade: D

7. Baser Amer, PG, Meralco
Stats: 20mpg 4ppg 2rpg 2apg

He is playing, but he also plays like he is worried about making mistakes because his Coach Norman Black seems to be bent on either making Chris Newsome some sort of Godsend at all positions or would just go with veteran Jimmy Alapag.

Grade: B

6. Garvo Lanete, PG, NLEX
Stats: 12mpg 3ppg 1rpg

Shooters shoot. When they have the green light. And minutes. Got to get off that NLEX bench and impress Coach Boyet Fernandez.

Grade: C

5. Scottie Thompson, PG, Ginebra
Stats: 16mpg 5ppg 3rpg 3apg

Let us get one thing clear: Thompson is not running the Triangle. He is freelancing. And damn does he look good doing it. The talent and IQ is crazy good. Just needs to get more minutes and yes, Ginebra can (and probably should) do away with one of the veterans (Sol or LA) pretty soon. Just too good of a player to be averaging 16 minutes a game.

Grade: A

4. Chris Newsome, SG, Meralco
Stats: 29mpg 11ppg 5rpg 4apg

In some ways, Newsome is Meralco's Calvin Abueva. But minus the psy-war/ game. Which means, he is too clean cut a player to be really awesome on defense. Shooting has improved, so has his handles, but Coach Norman Black really needs to pull the reins in and have him stick to playing ONE position for now. One day he's the SG, next SF, then PG. He isn't THAT good. Yet.

Grade: A

3. Maverick Ahanmisi, PG, Rain or Shine
Stats: 21mpg 8ppg 4rpg 4apg

As an RoS fan, Ahanmisi disappointed us as far as the "next Paul Lee" discussion is concerned. He can't even be called a suitable replacement. But what Ahanmisi is, is a solid point guard who has the body and athleticism to handle some of the league's very best. Black Panther. IMHO Mike Cortez clone. Shifty, tall, strong PG with some quickness and high IQ.

Grade: B

2. Troy Rosario, PF, Talk'n'Text
Stats: 28mpg 16ppg 7rpg 1apg

What a work horse. Still doesn't have the offensive game down pat, but we will confirm some of those Marc Pingris comparisons when it comes to his mental approach to rebounding and putbacks. Once he arms himself with a go-to post move, he should be very dangerous for years to come.

Grade: A

1. Moala Tautuaa, PF, Talk'n'Text
Stats: 24mpg 13ppg 5rpg 2apg

For such a wide-bodied athletic specimen, Tautuaa can do better than FIVE REBOUNDS a night. Come on. His offense still consists mostly of face-up moves, and we have yet to see him really have that mean streak going. It is almost like this dude is too nice to throw his massive elbows against anyone. Which is going to be a problem if he really wants to be one of the league's superstar big men. Maybe Coach Jong Uichico can get his boy Danny Ildefonso back to teach Tautuaa a few tricks?

Grade: B 

Which rookie has impressed you so far? Disappointed? @kilikilishot