PBA Free Agency: Ginebra let go of their top 2nd round pick!

 

Draft Pick Dump: Ginebra’s Loss Becomes Pureblends’ Gain with Mario Barasi

The adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” perfectly encapsulates the recent signing of rookie Mario Barasi, Jr. by the new PBA franchise, Pureblends Corporation. Just weeks after being selected by Barangay Ginebra as the 13th overall pick in the recent PBA Draft, Barasi was left unsigned by the Gin Kings and has now inked a deal with the team taking over the NorthPort franchise.¹

This development immediately reignites a long-standing criticism directed at the league’s winningest coach, Tim Cone, and the Ginebra management: their perceived devaluation of the PBA Draft.

A Wasted Pick and Legitimate Criticism

For a team that has historically struggled to find homegrown big men, drafting the 6-foot-7 Barasi—a versatile frontcourt prospect who was a Mythical Five member in the Draft Combine—was seen as a sound move. Letting him walk without a contract, especially after spending the first pick of the second round on him, is baffling.

Yes, Coach Tim Cone is still the GOAT. His championships and contributions to Philippine basketball are peerless. However, the criticisms regarding his team's draft history are undeniably legitimate. Ginebra’s pattern of not giving much value to their draft picks, often opting for veterans or failing to fully utilize young talent, means that valuable resources—like a high second-round pick—are essentially thrown away. The draft is the primary mechanism for improving the league's balance, and when a perennial contender like Ginebra treats a highly-rated pick as disposable, it raises questions about their commitment to building long-term local depth.

Pureblends Finds a Hidden Gem

In contrast, Pureblends Corporation has pounced on the opportunity, signing Barasi as they officially take over the NorthPort franchise. This move signals a savvy approach from the new management, demonstrating a clear focus on acquiring young, promising talent.

Mario Barasi's potential in Pureblends is significant. The new team will likely be building from the ground up and will offer him the one thing Ginebra couldn't: playing time and a defined role.

Barasi is an athletic forward with size who can stretch the floor and provide energy on defense.² In the right system, he can develop into a solid "3-and-D" forward or a versatile big man. Pureblends is assembling a new core, and a player of Barasi's caliber, who has already shown his grit in the Draft Combine and the MPBL, is a valuable piece. His signing is a low-cost, high-reward move that immediately adds a competitive element to the new team's roster, proving that their commitment to building a new and serious contender is not just lip service.

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