Canadian-Based Malabuyoc Exploring Philippine College Options
Mikyle Malabuyoc has been getting a closer look at the Philippine college basketball landscape, including training sessions with La Salle, as the Filipino guard explores the possibility of playing college basketball in the country.
Malabuyoc, a 5-foot-11 guard who was brought up in Canada, has trained with a handful of Philippine college programs during recent visits, his strength and conditioning coach Miguel Olfato told ALL-STAR Magazine.
“We have been very fortunate and thankful to have been able to visit and practice with different colleges during this current and previous visit in 2024,” Olfato said. “We are getting a feel of the Philippines college basketball scene and how things work here. DLSU is one of the schools that we have trained with.”
Malabuyoc has also attended training sessions with UP and Ateneo during his trips to the Philippines, according to Olfato, who plays the role of S&C and player development consultant for Phenom Sports Management in the Philippines.
Playing college basketball in the Philippines has long been one of Malabuyoc’s personal goals, Olfato said, with the pathway also viewed as a possible bridge toward his larger professional ambitions in Asia.
“It has always been one of his goals and dreams since childhood to play college basketball in the Philippines,” Olfato said. “We believe it is also one of the best avenues towards his ultimate objective of playing professional basketball in Asia.”
Malabuyoc is currently listed with Simon Fraser University after transferring from Western University, where he emerged as one of the program’s top playmakers.
At Western, Malabuyoc averaged 12.4 points, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 rebounds in 28.6 minutes across 23 games during the 2024-25 season.
His background has made him an intriguing name to monitor for Philippine programs looking for an experienced lead guard with American college basketball experience.
Olfato described Malabuyoc as a coachable guard who can impact a team as both a creator and scorer.
He would have two years eligibility in the UAAP after residency, beginning in Season 90.
“People can expect a good teammate who is very coachable, first and foremost,” Olfato said. “On the basketball court, a dynamic playmaker and 3-level scorer who plays very efficiently.”
Malabuyoc’s next step remains fluid, but his recent training activity in the Philippines has given local college programs a firsthand look at a Filipino guard who has already produced at the Canadian university level and has made playing in Asia part of his long-term plan.
