Stock Watch: College Stars on the Road to the Pros
Geo Chiu hopped aboard the Dyip, Juan Gomez de Liaño got a Converge subscription, and Sonny Estil inspired dad jokes all across the internet. Now that the 2025 PBA Draft is in the history books, what’s left for us to do? Here’s an idea: Get hyped for the college leagues that spawned these pros.
Brand new seasons of UAAP and NCAA action are right around the corner, and among the colorful storylines to follow, we get to see the final chapter in the collegiate careers of several interesting prospects.
In another corner of the multiverse, all the players that I’ll mention in this piece will commit 100% to entering the PBA. Reality tells us, however, that there are other leagues that offer the promise of professional and financial growth. (As Quinito Henson said on The Navs Effect, the “economics” are constantly at play.)
In a year’s time, these veterans of the college scene will become rookies in professional leagues. Whether these leagues are situated in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, or (who knows?) the home soil of the NBA, we wish these young men nothing but the best in their careers.
So now, let’s take a look at the athletes about to belt their swan song in the UAAP and NCAA. We’ll look into how they can boost their stock as scouts from the PBA, KBL, B.League, and elsewhere follow them with close interest.
Motor Mike and Mapua’s Maestro
In their respective college leagues, Mike Phillips and Clint Escamis are head and shoulders above just about everybody else. On the one hand, you have the insanely athletic Phillips who last showcased his relentlessness by dropping a 30-piece in the finals of the 2025 WUBS. On the other hand, you have a quintessential three-level scorer in Escamis whose “main man” status was validated by his 2024 title conquest with Mapua.
If we ever get around to expanding the Gilas pool (and I’m hoping that’s not a big “if”), Phillips and Escamis should be at the top of the list of players who got next. Playing in the PBA would help that cause, but we all know that these two are potential recruits of topnotch Asian and European programs.
How they can boost their stock: Escamis has a well-rounded game, but scouts might offer an even bigger bag if his three-point shooting percentage stays in the 40s throughout Season 101. As for Phillips, we’ll be singing the same song over the next three months. All together now: Make your free throws.
The Maroon 5
Speaking of Tim Cone, I have long envisioned college veteran Harold Alarcon in a Ginebra uniform, as I believe that his creativity on the hardcourt would be a great fit for the triangle system. It’s not hard to imagine that the Silay City native has already entertained thoughts and offers of heading to East Asia, but then again, wouldn’t it be nice if he followed in the footsteps of fellow Negros Occidental native James Yap?
As for Alarcon’s buddies Gerry Abadiano and Reyland Torres, I think their bulldog-like tenacity on the defensive end is enough to make PBA scouts pay attention. Abadiano’s midrange game and Torres’ newly added step-back jumper make them even more interesting prospects.
When you get to Terrence Fortea and Janjan Felicilda, you have two specialists who have scouts interested with their distinct skill sets. Fortea has one of the sweetest shooting strokes in the Philippine college hoops scene, while the fleet-footed Felicilda is a draft combine topnotcher waiting to happen.
How they can boost their stock: Alarcon, Abadiano, and Torres need to shoot more efficiently and consistently in Season 88. Fortea and Felicilda, meanwhile, should watch each other’s YouTube highlights so that the former can be a better facilitator and the latter can punish defenders for sagging off on the perimeter.
More Thomasians, Please
Former UST college standouts have thrived in the PBA for decades, and I’m excited for this pipeline to continue with Nic Cabañero and Forthsky Padrigao. The co-captains of the España brigade have the potential to be first-round draft picks and, with UST hosting Season 88 of the UAAP, I’m sure this talented duo is motivated to end their collegiate careers with a bang.
Cabañero is a lethal north-south guy who can draw fouls on the regular in the PBA, while Padrigao sees plays and makes passes like everyone else on the court is in slow motion. It’s no hyperbole to say that either one of these players can earn a starting spot right away in the pro ranks.
How they can boost their stock: Forthsky wants to play overseas, you say? To get there, he needs to snap out of his shooting slump ASAP. Cabañero has gotten scouts buzzing with his deep bag, but he can unlock a new dimension in his game by becoming a reliable defender on the perimeter.
Talents From Taft and San Marcelino
Did anyone notice that the first three picks in the second round this year were all serviceable big men? They weren’t towering seven-footers, sure, but it’s nice to see some more depth in our pro league’s center and power forward positions.
I can think of two more college gems waiting to be secured by PBA teams: Allen Liwag and Cedric Manzano. They’re a joy to watch because, in an era where stretch fives are the norm rather than the exception, they’re proficient at traditional big man skills like sealing their defenders in the paint and scoring off back-to-the-basket moves.
Let’s talk about Liwag’s CSB teammate Justine Sanchez as well. The 6-foot-4 forward has the height and wing span of a typical PBA wing, and his movement off the ball is a nice asset to have as well. Perhaps the athletic Sanchez can sharpen his perimeter game in NCAA Season 101 to build his case as a future draft pick.
How they can boost their stock: Of the three, Liwag has shown the most promise as a jump shooter. He and Sanchez will put a smile on coach Charles Tiu’s face if they do their part to spread the floor in the upcoming season. I can see Manzano becoming a Justin Arana-like threat in the paint, but he’ll need to put on some more muscle over the next 12 months.
Napa’s Bulldogs Are Coming
Jeff Napa, current head coach of the NU Bulldogs and longtime assistant coach in the PBA, is pretty good at developing multifaceted, high-IQ players. It’s only a matter of time before his key rotation players over the past four seasons make their impact on the next level.
Maybe Jake Figueroa decides to pack up and move to South Korea, but maybe he won’t. His versatility in the scoring department would certainly be a delight to see in the PBA. You know what else would be fun to watch? Jolo Manansala out-jumping veterans as he battles for rebounds. With some polish from a defensive-minded assistant coach or two, Manansala can eventually transition into the role of a fearsome stopper.
Now, if PBA teams are looking for a college floor general who can control the game in the half court, they can take a look at Steve Nash Enriquez. Talk about a guy who never rushes: SNE is a bright young man who constantly makes the right read, no matter how the defense plays him.
How they can boost their stock: Manansala can use some bulking up, Enriquez needs to have a strong bounce-back season after hurdling injury woes, and Figueroa…it’s time to go ham, buddy.
Remember the Name: John Abate
The UE Red Warriors were an interesting story last season, to say the least. In that narrative, you could say that John Abate had main character energy.
Remember UE’s upset win over La Salle in the first round? That victory was iced when Abate grabbed a rebound off a Kevin Quiambao miss(!) and ran to the other side of the court like a mob was chasing after him. Shortly after that mad sprint, Abate sank two free throws to put the Warriors up by four.
Small sample size, I know, but Abate’s physical gifts and fighting spirit are undeniable at this point. The newly minted captain of the Red Warriors would be a fascinating prospect at the pro level.
How he can boost his stock: Last season, Abate anchored UE’s offense in the first round but tapered off in round 2. This time around, the Red Warriors’ leader needs to go all gas, no brakes from beginning to end.
RELATED: Tucker Molina Commits to the Mapua Cardinals
The One and Dones
There’s good reason to think that the Ateneo Blue Eagles will be back with a vengeance this season. Actually, we can name three good reasons right now: Dominic Escobar, Jaden Lazo, and Kymani Ladi.
Coach Tab Baldwin is constantly on the lookout for big guards, and the 6-foot-5 Escobar fits that description a tee. His pull-up game will haunt the nightmares of UAAP defenders this coming season, so keep an eye on him. Lazo, his fellow West Coast product who stands at 6 feet, also has impressive range, plus the ability to finish in traffic.
And then, there’s Ladi.
This 6-foot-8 Swiss Army knife is every college coach’s dream. Equipped with both size and top-tier skill, he can punish perimeter defenders for giving him even a sliver of space from beyond the arc and bang bodies with bruisers in the paint to get high-percentage shots.
It’s no surprise that Pinoy hoops fans are looking beyond UAAP Season 88 as far as Ladi is concerned. He’s being eyed as a Gilas addition in the future, and why not? At the same time, maybe we can get him to don a PBA jersey 12 months from now.
How they can boost their stock: Quite simply, if the trio of Escobar, Lazo, and Ladi lives up to all the hype, the offers will start pouring in. (Better yet, maybe they can forget the hype and just play ball. Just be yourselves, boys.)
