RJ Abarrientos, Dave Ildefonso and Caelan Tiongson may have missed the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft, but have essentially found a way to display their talent and potential in their ongoing stint in the 43rd William Jones Cup before officially making their debuts. 

The Strong Group reinforcements landed within the top seven of the first round, with Abarrientos getting selected by Barangay Ginebra as the third overall pick. 

The trio signed with Charles Tiu’s Strong Group before declaring themselves for the draft to the excitement of the local hoops fans. 

After the Philippines’ 91-69 victory over Australia’s BSBL Guardians, the three aspirants were seen celebrating the next chapter of their professional career in Tiu’s Instagram story which he captioned: “special moment.” 

Abarrientos and Ildefonso were among the Filipino players who jumped straight to the pro ranks abroad as an Asian quota import. 

After three years of one-and-done stints in the collegiate which was immediately followed by overseas opportunities in Korea and Japan, the 24-year-old Abarrientos is finally setting foot in the PBA where he is expected to blast his full talent under Tim Cone’s Ginebra. 

It was a sort of “deja vu” for the young Abarrientos as he posted a separate Instagram story where his uncle Johnny was seen being interviewed alongside Cone after his name was announced.

This, following the older Abarrientos’ stint as a player with Cone during the latter part of his career. 

During his initial taste of the pro, the young Abarrientos was named Rookie of the Year in the Korean Basketball League, something that he now has a chance to potentially repeat the same feat in the local league. 

Before you know it, even Ildefonso is back on local shores after being tapped by NorthPort as the fifth overall pick now reuniting with his older brother Shaun, who plays for Rain or Shine and his father Danny, who joined Converge as its assistant coach in 2022. 

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Tiongson was among the oldest players in the list who was chosen by Rain or Shine in the seventh pick. 

The Fil-Am guard is looking to make his dreams come true as he settles down for a long and meaningful career in the PBA after previous stints in the now-defunct Asean Basketball League and Taiwan’s T1 League.

With more local talents coming home, the season-opening PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup is expected to be an exciting offering. 

Strong Group looks to stay undefeated in three Jones Cup outings as it plays Ukraine at press time.