Rosser last man standing

MANILA, Philippines — Only Matt Ganuelas-Rosser remains unsigned among the three 2014 PBA draftees whose contracts expired last December, making them eligible to become unrestricted free agents under the league’s seven-year rule. Nards Pinto and Rodney Brondial were the others but unlike Rosser, they’ve found new teams after exercising their right to unrestricted free agency.

Pinto left Meralco and inked a three-year deal with Barangay Ginebra while Brondial declined a two-year extension from Alaska to reunite with his Adamson coach Leo Austria at San Miguel Beer. Rosser was offered a two-year renewal by Terrafirma but opted to test the free agency waters. The PBA office said yesterday no new contract has been submitted by Rosser. The word from Rosser’s agent Charlie Dy is he’s “still exploring.”

Of the 2014 draftees, 17 remain in active rosters but only the contracts of Rosser, Pinto and Brondial expired last December. Four other players joined the same draft but are still short of the seven-year tenure so they’re still not unrestricted free agents. The four are second round pick Mike Gamboa, third round pick Kenneth Ighalo and undrafted players Jackson Corpuz and Philip Paniamogan.

The 2014 draftees with live contracts are Kevin Alas (expiring Dec. 31, 2023), Chris Banchero (Jan. 31, 2022), Prince Caperal (Jan. 31, 2022), Jericho Cruz (Feb. 28, 2022), Rome de la Rosa (Nov. 30, 2024), Brian Heruela (March 15, 2022), Kyle Pascual (March 30, 2022), Jake Pascual (Feb. 28, 2022), Stanley Pringle (Jan. 31, 2023), David Semerad (Jan. 31, 2022), Tony Semerad (Dec. 31, 2023), Raul Soyud (Dec. 31, 2022), Paolo Taha (Jan. 31, 2022) and Juami Tiongson (Dec. 31, 2022).

PBA vice chairman and Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales confirmed that Rosser is trying the free agency experience. “We’re not aware of any offers,” he said. “If he really wants to stay with us, he’s welcome.” Rosales also said that Joshua Munzon is back in town with his family and almost done with quarantine. “We expect him to join us and play when the games resume,” he said.

With Munzon’s return, Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel said he hopes the team can improve on its 1-4 record. Alex Cabagnot’s loss for at least eight months due to an Achilles injury is a damper and Cardel is studying options to bring in a replacement, perhaps T. H. Tumalip from the 3x3 ranks. Tumalip was Terrafirma’s sixth round pick from TIP in last year’s draft. “Laking kawalan ni Alex sa amin,” said Cardel. “He’s a leader para sa team namin, maybe we can get players sa 3x3 like Tumalip. Zoom practice muna kami kasi the LGU permit sa Parañaque, hindi pa released. Kasama na si Joshua sa Zoom practice namin. May offer kami kay Matt but he told management na mag-free agent muna siya. Na kay Matt na lang kung mag-sign siya sa amin uli.”