WILL Jielo Razon be TNT’s next diamond in the rough?
Undrafted before the season, Razon will now have a chance to make a name in the big leagues after being picked up by TNT at the end of his campaign with the Paranaque Patriots in the MPBL.
Razon will vie for a spot in TNT's active roster in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after a not-so distinguished role as a practice player with MVP's premier PBA team. He had played for the Patriots, whose season concluded in the South Division semifinals.
“He will have to fight for his spot," said TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa to SPIN.ph. "We are planning to sign him for one year."
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Razon could develop as a player in the mold of Kim Aurin, who was also unsigned after being drafted by Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 48th season and eventually picked up by TNT after the player's strong stint in the PBA 3x3.
Despite his impressive college resume, the 5-foot-11 Razon was surprisingly left out in the 49th Season draft, but TNT coaches thought he could be good as a practice player. And now the doors have opened for him.
Incidentally, both Razon and Aurin are products of Perpetual Help in the NCAA.
In a recent interview with Noli Eala on Power and Play, Lastimosa said Razon may be one of Jayson Castro's relievers at the point guard position.
“He is a young guy and we see a lot of potential in him in Cebu during our preseason run. We liked what we saw and we want to keep him,” said Lastimosa, who was also instrumental in bringing Aurin to TNT.
The 25-year-old Razon averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals for the Patriots during the 2024 MPBL season.
Curiously, Razon lit up with a season-high 34 points against Mindoro on July 15, one day after the PBA draft. He shot 5-for-11 from threes and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. He also had five rebounds and five assists.
Razon is just the latest in a long line of MPBL players who are expected to make the jump to the PBA at the end of its season.
Expected to grab the most attention is Justine Baltazar from the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, who was the PBA's overall first round pick, and will play for Converge. Also from the MPBL are Mike Malonzo of San Juan, who will be joining Rain or Shine, and Mark Nonoy and CJ Catapusan from Iloilo, for Terrafirma.
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