Unsigned rookies pile up: nearly half of 2025 PBA draft class goes to free agency

The 2025 PBA Rookie Draft has taken an unexpected turn as nearly half of its class failed to secure contracts.

Of the 77 players selected, only 41 signed deals or received formal offers from their teams, leaving 36 draftees as unrestricted free agents after the league’s one-week signing window.

The most notable name left without a contract is 13th overall pick Mario Barasi, surprisingly not tendered a deal by Barangay Ginebra despite his near first-round status. Other recognizable picks now on the market include Rain or Shine’s 34th overall selection Cole Micek, TNT’s 35th pick Sean Quitevis and 46th pick Joe Celzo, and Blackwater’s 57th pick Gjerard Wilson.

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PBA fans on Tuesday shared mixed reactions following reports that there will be no PBA Rookie Draft in 2026.

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— Fastbreak (@fastbreaknewsph) September 16, 2025

Several teams also released multiple rookies. Rain or Shine parted ways with MJ Dela Virgen and Kyle Tolentino, while Terrafirma declined to sign six of its draftees, including Dolan Adlawan and JM Manalang. NorthPort let go of an even longer list, headlined by Kobe Bryant Pableo and Jonas Tibayan. Blackwater added Jude Codinera and Dominic Cauilan to its cuts, while Converge moved on from JP Cauilan, Patrick Ramos, Geremy Robinson, Jordan Sta. Ana, and Niel Tolentino. Phoenix also left unsigned Harvey Pagsanjan, Kris Gurtiza, and Aldave Canoy. NLEX skipped on Benedict Benedictos, Judel Fuentes, John Galinato, and AJ Madrigal, while Magnolia passed on Joshua Yerro.

The unusually high number of unsigned rookies highlights a growing trend across recent drafts. In 2023, a record-breaking 128 players applied and 79 were drafted, but 33 ended up unsigned — about 42 percent of the class. 

The following year saw a leaner pool of around 70 applicants and 48 selections, with most first- and second-rounders quickly inking deals, though lower picks still struggled to stick. This year, however, the situation has swung back sharply, as 36 of 77 draftees — nearly 47 percent — were left without offers, marking an even higher rate of unsigned players than in 2023.

What makes the 2025 draft especially notable is that not only late-round selections were cut loose but also a high pick like Barasi, something rarely seen in past years. 

The development reflects how PBA teams have become more cautious and selective, weighing roster depth, budgets, and fit more heavily than draft status alone.

For the 36 free agents, the road ahead could involve chasing opportunities in the MPBL, PSL, or overseas leagues, with hopes of eventually working their way back into the PBA.

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