Jhon Lee Melano Commits to NU for UAAP College Career

Jhon Lee Melano has found his college home.

The 6-foot-3 wing forward, who made his name as one of the standout pieces of the UST Tiger Cubs, has committed to the NU Bulldogs for his collegiate UAAP career. Melano said he is set to begin his five years of eligibility in UAAP Season 90 in 2027 after completing his high school education.

For Melano, the decision came down to opportunity, fit, and trust. NU’s need for wing players became a major factor in his choice, especially with several players at his position moving on from the program. He believes his game can slide into the Bulldogs’ system and give him a real chance to grow at the college level.

“Since puro grumaduate po yung mga wingman ng NU, yan po talaga pinaka malaking factor kong bakit pinili ko po sila,” Melano said. “Then feeling ko kasi kaya ko i-fill yung mga nawala sa lineup kasi yung playing style ko pasok sa system nila. And sa lahat ng teams, NU talaga ang pinaka unang nagka-interest sakin na kausapin ako. At ang maganda, mismo si Coach Jeff Napa pa mismo nakakita sakin, kaya feeling ko mas mag-grow ako if dito ako sa NU.”

Melano’s move gives NU another promising young piece for the future. The Bulldogs have built a reputation for developing disciplined, two-way players, and Melano sees that structure as something that matches the way he wants to play. Rather than looking to force his way into a starring role right away, he said his priority as a rookie will be to stay ready, defend, and do what the team needs.

“Una, gagawin ko lang po yung role ko as a rookie and maging ready lang lagi if kelan ako gagamitin,” he said. “At mag-focus muna sa depensa kasi yung system naman ng NU nakita ko di one-man show. Lahat nakakahawak ng bola at nakaka-score.”

Melano’s development has been steady over the past year. Before joining UST, he suited up for San Sebastian, where he already showed flashes as a productive frontcourt and wing option in the juniors ranks. He later transferred to the Tiger Cubs and quickly became one of the team’s most reliable scorers and rebounders.

With UST, Melano emerged as a strong 6-foot-3 forward who could attack, finish through contact, and contribute on the boards. In UAAP Season 88, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 assist, becoming one of coach Manu Inigo’s most consistent players. He also delivered in big moments.

His stock rose further during the 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals, where UST finished as runner-up. Melano averaged 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals in the tournament and earned a spot on the Mythical Team. In the championship battle, he led the Tiger Cubs with 25 points in an overtime loss to Fil-Am Nation Select USA, showing he could produce under pressure against elite competition.

Melano also helped UST in 3×3 play, where his size, strength, and scoring made him a valuable piece. Melano was among the team’s main contributors throughout that run.

Despite those accomplishments, Melano knows the move to college basketball will require another jump. The physicality, age gap, and level of competition will be different, and he plans to use his final year before Season 90 to prepare his body and sharpen the parts of his game that still need work.

“Magpalaki pa po ng katawan since yung college di na po basta-basta,” Melano said. “Lahat po malalakas na katawan at matatanda na, di na katulad sa high school na halos kaedad o mas bata. At i-polish pa yung mga kulang ko sa opensa, specially yung outside shooting ko.”

Melano is not entering college as a finished product, but as a wing with size, production, and a realistic understanding of what he needs to improve. His scoring and rebounding have already stood out in the juniors level, while his commitment to defense and outside shooting could determine how quickly he earns minutes with the Bulldogs.

For NU, the commitment adds a developing forward who fits a long-term timeline. With Melano’s eligibility beginning in Season 90, the Bulldogs will have time to prepare him for the college game while giving him a runway to grow into a regular rotation piece.

Melano’s next chapter will be in Sampaloc with NU. His path to the Bulldogs is now set, and his focus is clear: get stronger, improve his shooting, defend, and be ready when his number is called.