UAAP Season 88 standouts step into a world of bigger courts

The nets have been cut down and the lights dimmed on UAAP Season 88, but for the league’s graduating stars, the end of the collegiate grind signals something far bigger than an offseason. It marks a crossroads — one where dreams branch toward professional leagues at home and unfamiliar arenas abroad.

For Michael Phillips, the transition is both timely and inevitable. The De La Salle University center closes his UAAP chapter as a proven winner, having anchored two championship runs in the past three seasons. 

With five years of eligibility now in the rearview mirror, the 6-foot-10 big man enters the pro market with momentum on his side. Interest has been immediate and substantial, particularly from MPBL teams reportedly willing to invest as much as ₱400,000 per month for his services. 

At the same time, his strong showings in international competitions have nudged open the door to Japan’s B.League — a pathway that offers both higher competition and long-term growth.

At National University, Steve Nash Enriquez exits quietly but with a reputation built on reliability.

The Bulldogs guard spent his entire UAAP stay wearing blue and gold, developing a game anchored on leadership, toughness, and timely scoring.

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While his 5-foot-9 frame may make the PBA a longer-term aspiration, the MPBL appears a natural next step — a proving ground where polish and patience could shape his professional ascent.

The global pull on UAAP talent is perhaps best illustrated by Harold Alarcon. The University of the Philippines wing has found his name circulating among Korean Basketball League scouts, thanks to the league’s Asian import quota.

Though the KBL’s emphasis on size and physicality remains a hurdle, Alarcon’s inclusion on international radars underscores how far collegiate exposure in the UAAP now travels beyond Philippine shores.

UP teammate Gerry Abadiano made his case in a different fashion — not through projections, but through moments. 

His steady hand and fearlessness in the Finals drew comparisons to PBA mainstay Mark Barroca, a nod to his readiness for pressure-packed environments. Whether he declares for the PBA draft or sharpens his edge in the MPBL, Abadiano has positioned himself as a guard built for late-game trust.

At University of Santo Tomas, Nicael Cabañero stands at a personal fork in the road. Open about his ambition to play overseas, the scoring guard remains pragmatic, acknowledging that a local start could be the stepping stone toward a bigger stage. For now, he waits — weighing offers, timing, and opportunity with care.

One player, however, has already made his leap. Jake Figueroa’s path is set, having secured a deal with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Primus as an Asian import in the KBL. His move serves as both a milestone and a signal: the pipeline from the UAAP to international leagues is no longer an exception, but a growing trend.

UAAP Season 88 may be filed away in record books, but its influence is still unfolding. As its graduates trade school colors for professional jerseys, their next chapters — whether in the MPBL, PBA, or overseas leagues — will define how far today’s collegiate stars can carry Philippine basketball tomorrow.

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