Reset and Rise: Joaquin Ludovice Looks Ahead

Joaquin Ludovice knows his latest UAAP high school season didn’t go the way he hoped. But if anything, it gave him clarity.

Coming off UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball action, the UST Tiger Cub guard offered a grounded assessment of both his individual performance and the team’s campaign. 

UST fell short of a Final Four berth, a result that stuck with him. 

“I would say, not the best season for me and for the whole team. We fell really short for the UAAP Final 4 slots,” Ludovice shared.

In Season 87, the Tiger Cubs won the league title, defeating powerhouse NU Bullpups in three finals encounters. While losing key graduating players was a factor, their title defense did not go well.

Still, the season wasn’t without progress. In U19 action, he averaged 11.5 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, showing flashes of his ability to create offense while taking on more responsibility in the backcourt. 

More importantly, the experience pushed him to reassess what it takes to compete at a higher level. 

“I realized that I need to work harder than ever for me to compete and be of service at the bigger stage and whichever team when opportunity comes,” he said.

At just 5’9”, Ludovice has built his game around quick decision-making, scoring instincts, and playmaking. 

Those traits have made him a steady presence for UST and also earned him exposure beyond the UAAP. 

Despite the attention, Ludovice is in no rush to lock in his college destination. With one more academic year to complete and his high school playing eligibility done due to age limit, his focus remains on staying ready both on and off the court. 

“Right now, I am not really focusing too much on where I will play in college. I still have one more school year to finish in high school, so I have to stay on my toes as well for my academics,” he explained. 

Ludovice is now represented by Anthony Brodett of Phenom Sports Management, who will help guide the young student-athlete moving forward in his career.

“But if there will be an opportunity, I would love to play and commit to where I will grow and learn more as a basketball player and a student-athlete.”

That mindset reflects the environment he found at UST, which he credits as a major factor in his development. For Ludovice, the program provided more than just a platform to compete. It gave him stability, guidance, and a chance to pursue both basketball and education. 

“UST has been a huge help to me, especially Father Rodel, Coach Manu, and the entire coaching staff, because they believed in me so much and gave me the opportunity to study properly for free,” he said. 

“Of course, in basketball, they also gave me a great opportunity to keep improving myself and to play in the UAAP, which has been my dream since I was a kid.”

As he prepares for the next step, Ludovice is already zeroing in on what he needs to improve. 

His priorities are clear: defense, playmaking, and overall control of the game as a point guard. 

“I have to put in extra work on the things I need to improve for college, especially my defense,” he said. 

“I also want to become a more effective point guard on the court, particularly in facilitating and executing plays for my teammates. Of course, part of that is also contributing to scoring to help the team win games.”

There’s no grand declaration yet about where he’ll land next. Instead, Ludovice is focused on the work in front of him, using a disappointing season as fuel rather than frustration.