Former Gilas Youth star Dalph Panopio honored to meet Tim Cone in workout with Barangay Ginebra 

Former Gilas Pilipinas youth standout Dalph Panopio is ready to take the next big step in his basketball journey—fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The 25-year-old guard has officially declared for the upcoming 2025 PBA Rookie Draft on September 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

Panopio recently worked out with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel under the watchful eye of head coach Tim Cone, with none other than Ginebra legend Greg Slaughter by his side. Photos of his workout with the PBA powerhouse circulated online, and the 25-year-old opened up on his experience, revealing it was an honor to meet a coaching legend like Cone.

“I am super honored. When I first saw him, I shook his hand and I was like, man, I’m really, really happy to meet you because I really admire him. I watch him all the time with Gilas and whatever they did. So I was really, really honored to meet coach Tim and be able to practice and have the chance to try out with Ginebra,” Panopio said on Day 1 of the PBA Draft Combine.

The Filipino-Italian star admitted that after years of playing overseas, it was time to come back to the Philippines and finally experience the thrill of playing in the PBA.

“It was easy to be honest, because I wanted to be a professional basketball player. And being a Filipino, it really helps me to be a professional here in the Philippines, especially in the PBA. Being born in Italy, and then I had the chance to play in the States, I feel really lucky na dito po ako makapaglalaro sa PBA and represent my country, play in my country.

‘GINEBRA CONTACTED ME AND I WANTED TO TRY OUT’

Dalph Panopio shares his excitement about joining the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft class, revealing that Ginebra had invited him even before the Combine began. | via Gillian Trinidad/One Sports#PBA50 #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/2agzlohmav

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 4, 2025

“I also had opportunities to play in other countries. But it wasn’t hard to choose the PBA. I mean, it’s always been an option, you know. And now that I’m here, after I put my name in the draft, it wasn’t hard to just enjoy it and keep working for it,” he added.

Born in Italy to Filipino parents, Panopio first made his mark on the international stage with Gilas Youth during the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. There, he averaged 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in seven games, sharing the court with current Gilas stalwarts Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, and Carl Tamayo.

His career since then has spanned three continents, giving him a unique basketball résumé. He suited up for Cal State Bakersfield in the US NCAA, played for Suwon KT in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), and most recently starred for Mumbai T. in the Indian National Basketball League (INBL), where he posted averages of 14.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in nine appearances.

Despite working out with Barangay Ginebra, Panopio is simply excited to play in the PBA, no matter which team selects him in the Rookie Draft. He believes he will bring versatility to the guard position and help the team in any way possible.

“Point guard po ako. I can be a point guard and a shooting guard. What I can do is the capacity to be able to shoot and be a point guard where I can control the pace, move the ball, try to be a leader, and try to help the team. But it’s going to be my rookie year. Whoever the team picks, I’m really willing to sacrifice and mag-work,” Panopio concluded.

The 2025 PBA Rookie Draft takes place on Sunday, September 7, at the Mall of Asia Music Hall. Day 2 of the PBA Draft Combine is underway at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, giving coaches and scouts one last chance to evaluate the nation’s top prospects.

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