Jonnel Policarpio

Jonnel Policarpio
No. 16 – Converge FiberXers
PositionPower forward / small forward
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (2001-12-16) December 16, 2001
Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
High schoolMalayan (Manila)
CollegeDe La Salle (2023)
PBA draft2024: 1st round, 6th overall pick
Drafted byNLEX Road Warriors
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024–2025NLEX Road Warriors
2026–presentConverge FiberXers
Career highlights

Jonnel Melo Policarpio[1] is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Converge FiberXers of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). In high school, he won a title with Mapúa in 2018. In college, he played for the DLSU Green Archers, winning a title with them in 2023.

Early life and high school career

Policarpio was born in Arayat, Pampanga, but grew up in the town of Macabebe.[1][2] He played in ligang labas games growing up to help earn money for his family.[3] He was scouted at a barangay league, which led to an invitation to try out for the Mapúa Red Robins. He got to play for Mapúa beginning in Grade 10.[2]

In his first season with Mapúa, NCAA Season 94, Policarpio made an impact right away filling in for Will Gozum and Warren Bonifacio in the frontcourt, as they had moved up to the collegiate level.[3] That season, they made it to the finals against La Salle Green Hills. In Game 1, he scored 15 points, but they lost to the defending champions.[4] In Game 2, he led the team with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds along with three blocks and three steals to force a Game 3.[5][6] Mapúa was able to win in Game 3, making him a champion in his rookie season.[7][8] For the season, he was named as the NCAA Juniors' Rookie of the Year, and was also named to the All-Defensive Team.[6]

The following season, Policarpio continued to improve, and was at one point a MVP candidate with averages of 19.7 points and 11.7 rebounds. However, Mapúa did not make the playoffs with a 6–12 record.[8] He was still able to win Defensive Player of the Year and make the Mythical Team and All-Defensive Team for NCAA Season 95.[9]

Policarpio made it to the NBTC 24 rankings of 2019. Ranking among the best high school players in the country, he got to play in the 2019 NBTC All-Star Game.[10] He also played in the SLAM Rising Stars Classic, and won the skills challenge.[11]

Despite having a year left with Mapúa, Policarpio committed to De La Salle University (DLSU).[8]

In 2022, Policarpio played in the SLAM Rising Stars Classic once again, where he was named as the game's MVP.[12] He also played for Pampanga Delta in the Pilipinas Super League 21-Under Division, where in the Luzon leg of the tournament, he was named as the MVP.[13]

Eligibility controversy

In 2024, controversy arose when Policarpio was accused of having falsified his academic documents leading up to NCAA Season 94. According to the documents, he had completed his Grade 10 studies at a learning center that had shut down during the 2017–18 school year. These findings would have made him ineligible to play for them in Season 94.[14] The NCAA's Management Committee has since decided not to resolve the issue.[15]

College career

Policarpio played college basketball at DLSU for the Green Archers. At first however, he didn't get to play for DLSU during Season 84 and Season 85.[16] This was due to him having incomplete documents and having to finish his studies at Sto. Tomas National High School. He finally became eligible to play in Season 86.[14]

When the season started, Policarpio did not play much minutes.[16] He got his first start in a win over the UST Growling Tigers, contributing nine points and six rebounds in 14 minutes.[17][16] In the first round of eliminations, he averaged just 4.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.[18] To start the second round, he scored a college career-high 14 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double along with five assists off the bench in a win over UST.[19][16] He then followed it up with 15 points and eight rebounds in a win over the NU Bulldogs, and 11 points eight rebounds, five assists, and one block in a win over the UP Fighting Maroons.[20][21] DLSU went on to sweep the second round as he made a bigger contribution with his versatility, this time averaging 9.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.[22][18] From there, DLSU went on to win the title over UP.[23][24] For the season, he averaged 6.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 16 games.[23]

On February 13, 2024 it was announced that Policarpio would not be returning to DLSU due to personal problems.[25][26] Days later, he decided to stay with DLSU for the second semester.[27][23][26] During this time, he was a part of the DLSU team that won the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup, and led DLSU to a title in 3x3 basketball.[28][23] He also got to join them in the 2024 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup.[29] Shortly after the FilOil tournament, on July 3, 2024, he announced that he would officially be leaving DLSU and declaring for the PBA draft.[23][29]

Professional career

Policarpio entered the PBA draft as the youngest player in the pool.[30] During the PBA draft combine, he was named the draft combine MVP as his team won the mini-tournament and was also named to the Mythical Five.[31]

NLEX Road Warriors (2024–2025)

Policarpio was drafted sixth overall by the NLEX Road Warriors in the Season 49 draft. He signed a three-year rookie deal with the team.[32]

Against the Meralco Bolts, Policarpio made his PBA debut during the 2024 Governors' Cup.[33] He scored in double digits in back-to-back losses to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the San Miguel Beermen.[34][35] In that conference, NLEX lost to the TNT Tropang Giga in the semifinals.[36] During the 2024–25 Commissioner's Cup, he had a season-high 17 points and nine rebounds in a win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.[37]

Converge FiberXers (2026–present)

On February 24, 2026, Policarpio was traded by NLEX to the Converge FiberXers in a three-team trade with the Meralco Bolts.[38]

References

  1. ^ a b Ramos, Gerry (July 5, 2024). "Baltazar, Barefield banner 70-player list for PBA Draft". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Guinto, Gio. "Jonnel Policarpio is the Baby Spiderman". SLAM Rising Stars.
  3. ^ a b Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (August 7, 2018). "NCAA: A new tower is on the rise for Red Robins". ABS-CBN SPORTS. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Naredo, Camille B. (November 6, 2018). "LSGH holds on to beat Mapua, one win away from NCAA juniors title". ABS-CBN. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  5. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (November 12, 2018). "Defiant Mapua Red Robins drag CSB-La Salle Greenhills to do-or-die Game 3". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Sevilla, Jeremiah M. (November 13, 2018). "Red Robins stop Greenies to force decider". The Manila Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Sarmenta, Yoyo (November 15, 2018). "Mapua Red Robins win NCAA Juniors crown". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Leongson, Randolph B. (July 4, 2020). "Mapua Red Robins forward Jonnel Policarpio commits to La Salle". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  9. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (November 15, 2019). "MVP Calvin Oftana leads San Beda quartet among NCAA awardees". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  10. ^ "Ateneo's Kai Sotto, LSGH's Joel Cagulangan top final NBTC 24 rankings". Spin.ph. March 4, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan (March 31, 2019). "Punks subdue Sotto-less Hype in Slam Rising Stars". Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  12. ^ Ganglani, Naveen (August 16, 2022). "5 young ballers to keep an eye on". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  13. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (August 28, 2022). "Pampanga wins PSL 21U Luzon title". www.pna.gov.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Li, Matthew (March 4, 2024). "Former LSGH Greenies join call for resolution in Mapua HS controversy". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  15. ^ "COLUMN: NCAA silence on Policarpio cheating allegation quite mystifying". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d "Jonnel Policarpio has slowly but surely been introducing himself to the rest of the UAAP". BALLERS.PH. October 26, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  17. ^ Valencia, Justin (October 7, 2023). "UAAP 86 MBB: La Salle extends mastery over UST to eight years". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Manzano, Diego (November 24, 2023). "UAAP: A look behind the Green Archers' unbeaten run to the Final Four". The LaSallian. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  19. ^ Valencia, Justin (October 25, 2023). "UAAP 86 MBB: Quiambao, La Salle send UST crashing back down with 31-point rout". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  20. ^ Valencia, Justin (October 28, 2023). "UAAP 86 MBB: Kevin Quiambao makes historic triple-double, lifts La Salle to vengeful win vs NU". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  21. ^ Carmen, Lorenzo del (November 5, 2023). "Jonnel Policarpio out to avenge La Salle's first round defeats". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  22. ^ Valencia, Justin (November 18, 2023). "UAAP 86 MBB: La Salle survives Ateneo comeback to sweep Round 2, gives Adamson lifeline". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d e Li, Matthew (July 3, 2024). "Jonnel Policarpio bids farewell to La Salle, declares for PBA Draft". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  24. ^ Garcia, John Mark (November 27, 2023). "UAAP Finals offers a lot of firsts for UP, La Salle, Topex and Lopez". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  25. ^ Valencia, Justin (February 13, 2024). "Jonnel Policarpio, La Salle part ways". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  26. ^ a b Li, Matthew (February 16, 2024). "La Salle grants second chance to Jonnel Policarpio". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  27. ^ "Jonnel Policarpio stays with La Salle". GMA News Online. February 16, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  28. ^ "EcoOil-La Salle claims third straight Aspirants' Cup trophy". pba.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  29. ^ a b Anzures, Rom (July 13, 2024). "Policarpio has Topex's blessing to exit La Salle, join PBA Draft". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  30. ^ Terrado, Jonas (July 12, 2024). "With PBA Combine MVP award, Jonnel Policarpio boosts stock". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  31. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 11, 2024). "Jonnel Policarpio wins PBA Draft Combine MVP". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  32. ^ Times, Tiebreaker (July 29, 2024). "Jonnel Policarpio inks three-year deal with NLEX". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  33. ^ Terrado, Reuben (August 22, 2024). "Policarpio makes PBA debut for NLEX; TNT, Meralco face off". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  34. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 28, 2024). "Jhonard Clarito leads Rain or Shine's comeback over NLEX to take PBA Group B lead". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  35. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 31, 2024). "PBA: NLEX triumphs in CDO OT thriller, overcomes San Miguel". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  36. ^ Bacnis, Justine (October 1, 2024). "TNT takes command, ousts NLEX to advance to PBA semis". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  37. ^ Terrado, Reuben (January 24, 2025). "Jong preaches patience as Poli learns to play multiple positions". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  38. ^ Ramos, Gerry (February 24, 2026). "Poli officially with Converge, Winston at NLEX as trade approved". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
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