TERRAFIRMA is in danger of not being able to play any of the four rookies it acquired in the last PBA Draft, including first round pick Mark Nonoy, in the season-opening Governors’ Cup.
Team manager Ronald Tubid said tender offers had already been given to the four players, who, unfortunately, won’t be eligible to see action in the league pending the end of their respective MPBL contracts.
Aside from Nonoy, the Dyip's other rookies are CJ Catapusan, Didat Hanapi, and Paolo Hernandez.
Nonoy, who was offered a two-year contract as per SPIN.ph sources, was selected No. 10 overall, while Catapusan was Terrafirma's second round pick at No. 15.
Hanapi and Hernandez, on the other hand, were acquired in a trade with Barangay Ginebra for the Dyip's second round pick in Season 50. Both Hanapi and Hernandez were selected by the Gin Kings in the second round at Nos. 17 and 22, respectively.
“May mga contracts pa kasi sila sa MPBL kaya hindi pa sila makakalaro,” said Tubid. “Not unless i-release sila agad ng teams nila, then that’s the only time na makakapirma sila sa amin to play.”
MPBL key contributors-turned-Terrafirma Dyip
Nonoy and Catapusan are currently teammates for the Iloilo United Royals, as Hanapi is with the Manila Stars and Hernandez is with the San Juan Knights.
READ: Ginebra trades draftees Hanapi, Hernandez to Terrafirma for future pick
Another rookie picked by Terrafirma was NCAA champion Peter Alfaro of San Beda in the third round (27), but both parties appeared to have not come to terms as far as the contract is concerned.
The scenario leaves the team with only 13 locals to play in the first conference along with import Brandon Edwards.
The Dyip's situation is similar to Converge's, which will miss the services of top overall pick Justine Baltazar for the early part of the season, as the 6-foot-7 former La Salle star will be finishing his contract with defending MPBL champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns until December.
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