Terrafirma is optimistic that it has a lineup that can be good enough to compete in the PBA’s 46th season after signing No. 1 draft pick Joshua Munzon and eighth overall selection James Laput to three-year rookie deals in the past couple of days.
Laput was the first to ink on the dotted line Thursday, March 18, before Munzon followed suit the following day as Terrafirma finally got their first round choices on board.
“Looking forward to a more competitive team. We got what we’re looking for,” said Dyip team governor Bobby Rosales.
The Dyip are banking on Munzon and Laput to improve the team’s fortunes after going 1-10 in last season’s PBA Philippine Cup bubble in Pampanga.
Munzon is set to become Terrafirma’s newest franchise player, owing to his capability to perform during his time in the ASEAN Basketball League and 3x3 tournaments like the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas and FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
It would have been interesting to see how the Dyip would perform had they kept CJ Perez to form a dynamic combination with Munzon. But the franchise opted to trade Perez to the San Miguel Beermen in a deal that included the No. 8 pick in the draft.
The Dyip used that to select Laput, a 6-foot-10 big man from La Salle who the team is confident can be a good inside presence.
Laput, though, is seen by some as a project who could develop into at least a solid big man in years to come.