AMONG the newcomers from the collegiate ranks who are set to showcase their skills in the 2026 MPBL season, Dom Escobar is easily one of the notable names.
Joining the likes of UAAP rival Kean Baclaan and fellow one-and-done Atenean Kymani Ladi in Caloocan, Escobar’s arrival in the regional league seemed like an unusual choice, especially after initially expressing interest in joining the PBA.
As it turns out, however, this stint with the Batang Kankaloo is just one step in his grand goal, with the 6-foot-5 wing setting his sights on the Korean Basketball League.
“The plan is to play next season in Korea once my MPBL stint is done. I can’t disclose which teams are interested at the moment, but according to my agent, there are a few that are interested,” Escobar told SPIN.ph.
The KBL was already one of the options for Escobar after his lone season with the Blue Eagles, for whom he averaged 11.07 points, 6.93 rebounds, and 2.64 assists.
According to the Coachella Valley native, though, there was one speedbump he had to get past before entertaining interested takers.
As he shared, “The whole Korea thing is gonna be based on my mom. So we have to obtain her passport to prove she’s Filipino and I’ll be eligible to play for Korea."
Dom says it's all about family
Escobar’s parents both have Filipino heritage, with his father being Filipino-Italian and born in Ilocos Sur. On the other hand, his mother is of Filipino and Mexican blood, but was born in California.
As the KBL's Asian Player Quota rules indicate, both of the player's parents must hold Philippine citizenship or a Filipino passport, which leaves Escobar one passport short.
And as his camp is currently in the process of securing a passport for his mother, whose family is also originally from Ilocos, Escobar isn’t against extending his pro career in his homeland.
“I mean there’s a lot of options. If Korea doesn’t work, I have to weigh out my options with PBA or MPBL. I have to see which is the better fit for me going forward. But I’d be open to extending my contract if possible,” he said.
In the meantime, Escobar averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals through nine games in the 2026 MPBL Preseason Invitational.
Regardless of the outcome of this passport procurement, Escobar has surely proven to be effective for the Batang Kankaloo and would be a key contributor for them even beyond this season.
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