Barangay Ginebra picks Sonny Estil at No. 11 in PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone didn’t have enough time to have a thorough look at the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft board.
But one name caught his attention upon his arrival back in Manila from a trip to the United States. Cone, though, wasn’t sure if the guy he wanted would still be available by the time the Gin Kings took their turn late in the first round.
READ: PBA: Sonny Estil shines with game-winner, MVP in Draft Combine
“When I flew back here, I arrived in the morning, I looked at the news and I found out that he won the MVP [of the Combine]. At that point, we thought, well, maybe we can’t get him anymore,” said Cone on Sunday at Mall of Asia Music Hall.
The talent he was referring to was Sonny Estil.
Estil entered the draft as a little-known forward who never had the opportunity to showcase his skills in the premier collegiate leagues, but got a chance to strut his stuff with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) before boosting his stock at the Combine, where he wound up with the MVP honors.
Ironically, Estil helped team Ginebra rule the Draft Combine’s mini-tournament after hitting the game-winner to cap off a solid outing.
Fortunately for Cone, Estil was still available when Ginebra was on the clock for the 11th overall pick.
READ: PBA Draft: Geo Chiu goes first, Juan Gomez de Liaño at No. 2
“We just think he’s a kid who has a lot of potential. He’s athletic. He runs the floor well and he gets to the basket well.”
“He’s got good size for his position, which is important and we just felt that he had a really high upside.”
Estil could play the same role as Jamie Malonzo, who took his talents to Japan after Season 49, leaving Ginebra with a huge void to fill.
His basketball journey also piqued Cone’s interest.
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The athletic forward bounced around from school to school, which prevented him from seeing action in the UAAP or the NCAA.
The only time he was able to experience playing in the collegiate ranks was in the 2025 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup with Letran. But he soon left the Knights to play for Pampanga in the MPBL.
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“It’s a great story. A guy coming from nowhere and ended up being a first-round pick in Ginebra. I hope it ends up with a happy ending.”
