FILIPINO free agents like Jamie Malonzo and Thirdy Ravena will have two more months to get an opportunity to play in the Japan B.League for the 2025-26 season.
SPIN.ph learned that B.League ballclubs have until the end of February to sign new players for the remainder of the Japan season.
The next two months could be make-or-break for Filipino players who aspire to be in the B.League this season. Otherwise, their next opportunity could only come much later in the year.
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Two of the names that could be in line for B.League opportunities are Malonzo and Ravena, both coming off stints with Gilas Pilipinas at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Ravena was the first Filipino player to come in as an Asian Quota import in Japan. He was also the longest tenured with his four-year career with San-en NeoPhoenix before his move to the Dubai team in the Euroleague.
Malonzo, meanwhile, only played for five games with Kyoto earlier this season before being released. - Reuben Terrado
Will SMC continue support of UST Tigers?
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas is in no hurry to rock the boat just yet when it comes to its men's basketball team program as the new year rolls on.
Team insiders bared that so far, things are looking positive in terms of a possible extension of a partnership between the school and benefactor San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Though nothing is cast in stone yet, the school is deeply appreciative of the SMC efforts under Alfrancis Chua in the last three years, that they aren't really considering on making any drastic changes when it comes to the Growling Tigers.
That's even with other supposed parties hovering over the team and intent on taking over the program moving forward.
But the same sources shared that those talks will have to be silenced for the meantime, all the more with SMC's imprint still all over the team starting with coach Pido Jarencio.
UST is set to bring in transferees Kristian Porter, Michael Mara, Mur Alao, and Kurt Laput, among others, to the fold come UAAP Season 89.
There's also a strong pipeline that already with the Strong Group Athletics-backed high school program of coach Manu Inigo. Koji Buenaflor, Charles Bucsit, and Carl Manding all ascending to the seniors team last year.
The Growling Tigers are expected to remain among the contenders next season with Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, Amiel Acido, and Mark Llemit all poised for bigger roles. - RL
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