Who’s in, who’s out

The PBA’s 49th season starts today with a lot of roster changes that make the upcoming competitions interesting, if not unpredictable. Five imports are returning and of the 12 reinforcements, five show NBA credentials.

From opening-day lineups, there were 18 players struck out from last conference. They were Ryan Reyes, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Jared Dillinger, Donald Gumaru, David Murrell, Diego Dario, Jeff Chan, James Yap, Mike DiGregorio, Archie Concepcion, Richard Escoto, James Sena, Mike Ayonayon, Jackson Corpuz, Sherwin Concepcion, Chris Lalata, Troy Malillin and Edgar Charcos.

Switching teams were Isaac Go, Stephen Holt and Ben Adamos to Ginebra, Alex Cabagnot to Converge, Sidney Onwubere, Abu Tratter and Jio Jalalon to NorthPort, Christian Standhardinger, Brent Paraiso and Stanley Pringle to Terrafirma, Kib Montalbo and Jewel Ponferada to Blackwater, Zavier Lucero to Magnolia, Kris Rosales to San Miguel Beer and Rey Nambatac to TNT.

Suited up after not playing a single game last season are Ginebra’s Jeremiah Gray, Converge’s Kevin Racal, Cabagnot, Rain or Shine’s Luis Villegas, Terrafirma’s John Grospe and Kevin Ferrer, TNT’s Poy Erram, Almond Vosotros and Chris Exciminiano. San Miguel’s Kyt Jimenez played only two games in the Commissioner’s Cup and sat out the entire Philippine Cup.

Rookies on opening-day casts are Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos and Paul Garcia, Meralco’s CJ Cansino, Rain or Shine’s Caelan Tiongson, Felix Lemetti and Ef Escandor, Terrafirma’s Paolo Hernandez and Didat Canapi, Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield, Miggy Corteza and DJ Mitchell, Magnolia’s Pedro Alfaro, NLEX’ Jonnel Policarpio, NorthPort's Evan Nelle, Phoenix’ Kai Ballungay, San Miguel’s Avan Nava and TNT’s Calvin Payawal. The list excludes Terrafirma’s CJ Catapusan who signed a two-year deal with the Dyip and has been released by the MPBL. In the injured roster is Magnolia rookie Jerom Lastimosa. Finishing their MPBL obligations are rookies Justine Baltazar of Converge and Mark Nonoy of Terrafirma. Converge rookie Ben Phillips is winding up commitments in the US and will likely report in the Philippine Cup. NorthPort rookie Dave Ildefonso is still to come to terms on a contract. Joining Lastimosa in the injured list are Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo, Phoenix’ Sean Manganti, Blackwater’s RK Ilagan, NLEX’ Kevin Alas, Rain or Shine’s Nick Demusis, Converge’s Keith Zaldivar, Meralco’s Jolo Mendoza and TNT’s Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.

The imports are experienced veterans with 10 who are 30 and over. Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, 36, is in his 11th PBA conference and gunning for his seventh championship. TNT’s Rondae Hollis Jefferson, 29, is a six-year NBA pro who led the Tropa to the 2023 Governors Cup title. Meralco’s Allen Durham, 36, is in his seventh PBA conference. Rain or Shine’s Aaron Fuller, 34, is in his fifth PBA conference after stints with NLEX, Blackwater and TNT. Converge’s Scotty Hopson, 35, is from the University of Tennessee while NorthPort’s Taylor Johns, 30, is from the University of California at Riverside. Blackwater’s Ricky Ledo, 31, was Memphis’ second round pick in the 2013 NBA draft and has played for Dallas and New York. Magnolia’s Glenn Robinson III, 30, is a former NBA Slam Dunk King and has played in seven NBA seasons. NLEX’ Myke Henry, 31, is from DePaul and saw action for the Grizzlies in the NBA. Phoenix’ Jauveous McKinnis, 25, is the youngest import from the University of Mississippi. San Miguel brought in Memphis’ 2014 first round pick and UCLA star Jordan Adams, 30, to take over from Lithuanian Tauras Jogela who wasn’t the only preseason casualty. TNT opted for Jefferson instead of Darius Days. Terrafirma replaced original pick Brandon Edwards, who is injured, with returnee Antonio Hester, 34.

The lineup of muses is just as impressive as the imports cast. In today’s opening day parade, Meralco will be with Paris Olympic gymnast and two-time SEA Games gold medalist Aleah Finnegan while Phoenix will showcase volleyball star Jema Galanza. Two-time SEA Games karate gold medalist and UP summa cum laude math grad Jamie Lim, will be with her late father Samboy’s team San Miguel. The other muses are Ginebra’s singer and actress Julie Ann San Jose, Blackwater’s Miss World Philippines 2024 Krisnah Gravidez, Converge’s Myrtle Sarrosa, Magnolia’s Rere Madrid, NLEX’ Inday Fatima, NorthPort’s figure skater Charmaine Skye Chua, Rain or Shine’s Miss World Philippines 2024 Second Princess Sophia Bianca Santos, Terrafirma’s Miss Charm Philippines 2023 Annabelle McDonnell and TNT’s Atasha Muhlach.