NorthPort signs rookie picks Malonzo, Rike
NorthPort Batang Pier has finally locked in on their rookie selections Jamie Malonzo and Troy Rike after signing them to multi-year contracts ahead of the 2021 PBA Season.
Batang Pier team manager Bonnie Tan confirmed to Watchmen Daily Journal the signing of the two newcomers with Rike given a two-year contract while the rookie deal of Malonzo was not disclosed.
The 24-year-old Malonzo, who was second overall pick by the Batang Pier in the PBA Rookie Draft last month, said he is looking forward to joining
NorthPort and helping them reach the playoffs.
“I have to tip my hat to NorthPort for getting the deal done under these circumstances,” said the 6-foot-6 former De La Salle University Green Archers big man. “I’m happy and this is one less thing to worry about.”
Malonzo was projected by observers as one of the top picks in the deepest class in years following his impressive one-and-done stint with La Salle, where he earned UAAP Season 82 Mythical Team honors.
Rike, on the other hand, was also thankful with his rookie deal with
NorthPort as he looks forward to team up with Gregory Slaughter, who was acquired in a trade with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel earlier this year.
“(Slaughter) had a ton of success. Obviously, as a big man, you always want to learn from someone like him. So I think it’s a great opportunity where I can learn from him as a center,” said the Batang Pier’s no. 11 pick overall in the last rookie draft.
“I had a chance to talk to him a little bit after the draft so that meant the world to me. I haven’t been to an official practice yet, but I already feel like I have gotten like a little bit of an initiation,” added the 6-foot-8 Rike.
While Malonzo and Rike were given rookie deals, NorthPort’s other rookie selections Mark Olayon, Loren Brill, Marvin Moraga, Carl Bryan Ravanes, Seraj Elmejrab, Jonico Rosales. and Jonathan Mendoza were not signed.
The Batang Pier is looking to bounce back from a one-win campaign in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup when they were led by then NorthPort and now Ginebra center Christian Standhardinger./ASC,