John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

NLEX selects LJay Gonzales as the fifth overall pick of the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft on September 7, 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. PBA Images

Article (news)

PBA Images

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757243552847PBA IMAGES5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">NLEX selects LJay Gonzales as the fifth overall pick of the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft on September 7, 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. <em>PBA Images</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — LJay Gonzales could not be more excited as he is set to team up with former PBA scoring champion Robert Bolick in NLEX.</p><p>Gonzales, who was selected fifth overall in the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, is raring to learn from &quot;Kuya&quot; Bolick.</p><p>Joining NLEX also meant boosting the Road Warriors&#x27; backcourt and hopefully, their title hopes in the league&#x27;s golden season.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/7/pba-terrafirma-picks-geo-chiu-as-1st-overall-pick-in-season-50-rookie-draft-1743"><strong>READ: PBA: TerraFirma picks Geo Chiu as 1st overall pick in Season 50 Rookie Draft<br/></strong></a></div><p>The former Far Eastern University standout said he had been communicating with Bolick during practices in UP, so familiarity won&#x27;t be an issue.</p><p>&quot;Sobrang excited ako na makasama si kuya Robert, kasi &#x27;yung practice nila sa UP din. Practice namin sa UP din, so lagi rin kaming nagkikita do&#x27;n. Nakakausap ko rin siya so sobrang laking tulong,&quot; Gonzales shared.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung experience niya na maishe-share niya sa &#x27;kin, kailangan ko &#x27;yung mga gano&#x27;ng bagay para matulungan niya &#x27;ko and sobrang happy ako na makakasama ko siya.&quot;</p><p>Reflecting on this milestone of getting drafted at Asia&#x27;a first play-for-pay league, Gonzales said he had just realized his dream since his childhood.</p><p>&quot;Siyempre, sobrang nakakakaba na sobrang sarap sa feeling na na-draft ako sa [PBA], kasi pangarap ko &#x27;to simula bata. And andito na &#x27;ko — na-draft ako sa NLEX. Pag-iigihan ko talaga &#x27;tong PBA para magawa ko lahat,&quot; he added.</p><p>And he&#x27;s not just teaming up with Bolick, but also with former Tamaraw Xyrus Torres, whom he won a UAAP juniors title with.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABgOncbjZLRHsCb0"></script>

<p>LJay Gonzales was selected by NLEX as the fifth overall pick of the #PBA50 Rookie Draft on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. #PBADraft </p>

LJay Gonzales was selected by NLEX as the fifth overall pick of the #PBA50 Rookie Draft on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. #PBADraft

PBA: LJay Gonzales excited to learn from 'Kuya' Robert Bolick in NLEX

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

PBA: LJay Gonzales excited to learn from 'Kuya' Robert Bolick in NLEX

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 08, 2025 09:00 AM PHT

Read More:

abssports

PBA Rookie Draft

Ljay Gonzales

NLEX Road Warriors

Robert Bolick

basketball

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.