5 players anticipated to make the jump to the PBA

The collegiate basketball season has finally ended, alongside the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Finals. This means that a lot of players drafted in the recent PBA draft will make their much-anticipated debuts in Asia’s grand old league.

For many, the Philippine Cup is a test of strength for many teams, with rookie standouts Juan Gomez de Liano and Dalph Panopio having already established their places so far, yet many teams are still looking to bolster their rosters, but for some, they are merely waiting for potential franchise cornerstones to make the transition.

Here are 5 players who are anticipated to make their PBA debuts:

5. Ljay Gonzales – NLEX Road Warriors

Not a lot of people are familiar with Ljay Gonzales, but make no mistake, the 6’0 guard had been one of the key pieces for the FEU Tamaraws alongside RJ Abarrientos during his time. Gonzales, who had just recently fallen short of the MPBL Finals with the Quezon Huskers, will make a formidable backcourt option for the NLEX Road Warriors, and could potentially form a similar tandem with star Robert Bolick.

4. Jason Brickman – Meralco Bolts

Jason Brickman was one of the prized possessions in the recent Draft, with many predicting him to go in the top 5. Yet the guard slid to seventh, allowing the Meralco Bolts to snag up one of the steals of the draft. Brickman, who, alongside the Abra North Weavers, defeated Gonzales’ Quezon in the Finals, is poised to immediately make an impact, filling the playmaking role that the Bolts have desperately needed.

Abra was dead in the water in Game 1 of the Mpbl Finals, down 8 pts with 2:20 left in regulation when Jason Brickman nailed back-to-back threes to keep them in the contest.

Quezon was on its way to victory before Brickman brought Abra back to life in an astonishing performance. pic.twitter.com/YzmDeBmvTX

— PBA insider 🏀 (@PBAinsider) December 12, 2025

3. Yukien Andrada – Magnolia Hotshots

Yukien Andrada has been the steady anchor for the San Beda Red Lions for a few years. No other player could carry the weight of one of the most successful collegiate basketball programs in the country, yet he did, alongside two NCAA seniors’ titles. His inclusion in the Magnolia Hotshots will reinforce their young core of Zavier Lucero, Jerom Lastimosa, and Chris Koon. 

Andrada’s threat as an outside scorer also complements that of LA Tenorio’s offensive philosophies in the Philippine Cup, and will be a perfect rotation piece to the newly-signed and equally dangerous from beyond the arc, Javi Gomez de Liano.

2. Geo Chiu – Terrafirma Dyip

The number one pick of the recent draft, Geo Chiu, could etch his name as the next dominant big man in the PBA. Standing 6’10, Chiu has proven he can hang with professional big men during his time with Abra. The former Ateneo standout has already proven he can adjust to more physical play; it’s more of a question of how he can show his scoring skills on a lowly Terrafirma Dyip that is on everyone’s minds.

1. Dave Ildefonso – Converge FiberXers

All eyes will be on Dave Ildefonso once he sets foot on a PBA floor. Expectations have run high since his collegiate basketball days with Ateneo, now Ildefonso will seek to equal or exceed the career his legendary father, Danny, had in the PBA with one of the most exciting teams in the league, Converge FiberXers.

The hype is real for Ildefonso, who carries a versatile scoring profile mixed with tenacious defense. Converge already has a young core that can potentially contend for a title, but Ildefonso’s arrival will undoubtedly accelerate the team’s championship hopes. It’s not a matter of if, but when Ildefonso, alongside De Liano and bIg man Justin Arana, can lead Converge to its first PBA Finals appearance.

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