Joaquin Tovera Commits to UP Fighting Maroons After NBTC Run

Joaquin Tovera, one of the standout guards from the recent NBTC National Finals, has committed to the University of the Philippines, giving the Fighting Maroons another young backcourt piece with international youth basketball experience and five full years of UAAP eligibility.

The commitment was confirmed through Tovera’s management group, Fil-Nation Select, after a strong stretch that put the Chino Hills High School senior on the radar of several Philippine programs.

UP, De La Salle, UST, and San Beda all saw Tovera play and expressed interest, but the 18U Gilas prospect ultimately chose UP as the place where he believed he could best grow and thrive as a guard.

Tovera also drew attention from the La Salle side. Mikey Cortez and Jacob Cortez were among those who tried to bring him to DLSU, and Tovera had the chance to practice with both La Salle and UP before making his decision. In the end, UP’s situation, system, and development pathway helped separate the Fighting Maroons from the rest of the field.

The move comes shortly after Tovera’s strong showing with Fil-Nation Select at NBTC, where he finished as the tournament’s second-leading scorer. He had a handful of noteworthy performances during the tournament, including a 29-point game in a 69-63 win over Mapua Red Robins and a 31-point effort that helped Fil-Nation Select LA beat Crossover Canada.

Those performances reinforced what Fil-Nation Select and those close to Tovera have believed for some time: he is still underrated, but his scoring feel, shot-making, and confidence can quickly change how people view him once he gets extended minutes on the floor.

For UP, that makes him a high-upside addition, especially as the program continues to stockpile young guards who can create, score, and compete in a demanding UAAP environment.

Tovera is currently finishing his senior year at Chino Hills High School in California, where he has built a strong reputation as a productive scorer.

His high school resume includes several big scoring nights. In January, Tovera erupted for 47 points against Etiwanda, hitting five three-pointers and scoring 22 points in the second quarter of a 75-72 loss. That game became one of the clearest examples of his ability to carry an offense and produce against strong competition.

Tovera also delivered in tournament settings. At the Classic at Damien, he led Chino Hills to the Green Division championship with 31 points, five rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and only two turnovers in a 72-47 win over Alta Loma. Another report from the same game credited him as the game-high scorer while noting his efficient 12-of-22 shooting from the field.

Earlier in the season, Tovera was named tournament MVP at the Louie Macias Tournament after scoring 23 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to lead Chino Hills past Newport Harbor in the championship game.

He also had a 38-point performance in Chino Hills’ CIF-SS Division 2 playoff loss to Bishop Amat, finishing as the game’s leading scorer. That outing added to a growing list of high-level scoring games that helped make his NBTC production feel less like a surprise and more like a continuation of the player he had already been in California.

After graduating in the middle of May, he is expected to come in for Gilas training immediately, giving him a chance to continue developing within the Philippine basketball system before beginning his UAAP career with UP.

For the Fighting Maroons, the commitment adds a 2008-born, pure Filipino guard with production, confidence, and room to grow.

For the 5-foot-10 Tovera, it gives him a clear college destination after a recruitment that included multiple major Philippine programs and a timely breakout on the NBTC stage.

He may still be considered underrated by some, but his recent body of work suggests that label may not last much longer.