Strong Group Athletics’ and 2024 PBA Rookie Draftee Caelan Tiongson. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Former Alab Pilipinas standout Caelan Tiongson is finally joining the PBA.

After previously playing in the now-defunct ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) as well in Taiwan, the 6-foot-5, Filipino-American forward will now be among the hopefuls who will be waiting for their names to be called in the league's annual Rookie Draft later this month.

"Man, it was just that time. I think the PBA is always something that is an option for me," said the 32-year-old Tiongson who will be first playing with Strong Group Athletics in next week's 43rd William Jones Cup.

"I was young and dumb a few years ago and wanted to pursue other ventures. But now I'm happy to be in the Philippines, and [looking forward to] having a long career here," he added.

Tiongson also admitted that he was already thinking about joining the proceedings prior to the league's 48th season, but decided that there were things that he first needed to take care of first.

"About a year and a half ago, I went back to the States because I was helping take care of my grandmother who was ill. But by the time that she got better, I was already gonna miss the upcoming season, so it's been a long layoff," he said.

"Coming here and playing with Strong Group with a lot of talented players, it's my first practice in a while, so getting my condition back and everything like that, it's gonna be good for me so I appreciate the opportunity that Charles [Tiu] gave me," explained the Biola University product, who also briefly retired from the sport last 2019.

Since then, he made his return to the sport in 2021 with the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan's T1 League.

But now that he will finally have the chance to play in the PBA, which team does he hope to play for?

"I know there are a lot of connections to Ginebra because for so long, I've been linked to them. But whoever wants me, and whoever can take care of me, that's where I want to go," he bared.

Strong Group Athletics’ and 2024 PBA Rookie Draftee Caelan Tiongson. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Still, Tiongson, who was supposed to play for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA 3x3, admitted that it would be an honor to play under Tim Cone.

"I mean, like I said, I'd be grateful to play for any coach and any team that wants me, but definitely, Tim Cone, he is a legend and is one of the best PBA coaches to ever do it," he said.

"I've gotten to talk with him a few times, and I've gotten to go to a few practices with Ginebra back in the day, so that would be really cool. I did a little stint of 3x3 with Ginebra, so I was in the gym with them a lot," offered Tiongson, who previously trained alongside present Gin Kings Ralph Cu and Don Gumaru as well as Kim Aurin.

"I see those guys are having success now in the PBA, so it's cool to see," he continued, while also joking about his age as he enters the PBA.

"Yeah, I'm 32. Hopefully, I'll play until I'm 50," he quipped.