Manaytay Joins 2025 PBA Draft after breakout UAAP, MPBL stints
Christian Manaytay, the versatile forward who helped spark the resurgence of the UST Growling Tigers and is currently playing for Nueva Ecija in the MPBL, will officially enter the 2025 PBA Draft. The news was confirmed by his agent, Marvin Espiritu of EMBM.
The decision marks the next chapter in a career built on persistence and progress. Manaytay has developed a reputation for toughness, reliability, and team-first play across both the collegiate and semi-professional levels.
Manaytay began his UAAP journey with the UST Growling Tigers after transferring from De La Salle University. In his final season in 2024, he helped guide UST to a bronze finish — their first playoff appearance in years — after enduring three straight losing seasons. He averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and shot 44.7 percent from the field while playing 21.6 minutes per game. In their Final Four loss to UP, he delivered 10 points and 8 rebounds in a gritty performance that underlined his value as a two-way player.
Following his UAAP stint, Manaytay signed with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in December 2024, joining one of the MPBL’s top teams. Since then, he has adjusted to the speed and physicality of professional play. In a recent 81–64 victory over Biñan, he contributed effectively off the bench. While not flashy on the stat sheet, coaches and scouts have taken note of his post prowess, defensive instincts, positional versatility, and ability to play within a system.
His game is built around discipline and adaptability. In college, he often defended taller players and switched onto guards with effectiveness. In the MPBL, he has continued to grow, focusing on improving his perimeter shot and strength to better match up with PBA-level competition.
Now, with his draft declaration confirmed, Manaytay becomes part of a strong 2025 class looking to make the leap to the PBA. While he may not carry the hype of some bigger names, his value lies in the intangibles—effort, focus, and the ability to contribute on both ends of the floor.
His path from UST’s rebuild to Nueva Ecija’s playoff runs and now the PBA Draft speaks to the evolution of a player who never stopped working. Manaytay represents a new generation of pros who earn their place not through flash but through grit, intelligence, and consistency.
