Home > Fiba Europe Cup Final > PBA Player Roster Breakdown: Complete Guide to Teams and Players This Season
PBA Player Roster Breakdown: Complete Guide to Teams and Players This Season
2025-11-22 12:00
As I sit down to analyze this season's PBA player roster, I can't help but reflect on how much the league has evolved since I first started covering Philippine basketball professionally. Having followed the PBA for over a decade, I've witnessed roster transformations that would make your head spin, and this season promises to be one of the most exciting yet. The league's 12 teams have undergone significant changes during the offseason, with player movements that could completely reshape the championship landscape. What fascinates me most about this season is how teams are balancing veteran leadership with young talent - it's a delicate dance that can make or break a franchise's championship aspirations.
Let me start with the team that's caught my attention the most - the Meralco Bolts. I've always had a soft spot for this franchise, not just because of their exciting style of play, but because of their organizational identity that truly sets them apart. Their recent rebranding speaks volumes about what they stand for. The team also mentioned that their new logo carries a sleeker finish that embodies strength, speed, and resilience - values that define the Bolts on and off the court, and are deeply rooted in Meralco's own principles of excellence, innovation, and malasakit. This isn't just corporate speak - I've observed how these values translate to their player development and recruitment strategy. They've built a roster that perfectly mirrors these principles, with Chris Newsome leading the charge as their franchise player. His athleticism represents that speed they're talking about, while his durability - playing an average of 34.2 minutes per game last season - demonstrates the resilience they value so highly. What impresses me about their roster construction is how they've surrounded their core with players who embody these same characteristics, creating what I believe to be one of the most cohesive units in the league.
Speaking of roster construction, the San Miguel Beermen's approach this season has been nothing short of fascinating. They're coming off another championship run, but what's interesting to me is how they're managing their aging core while integrating younger talent. June Mar Fajardo, at 34, is still putting up monstrous numbers - 18.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game last conference - but I've noticed they're gradually reducing his minutes to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Their acquisition of younger big men like Mo Tautuaa shows they're thinking about the future, though personally, I think they should be more aggressive in developing their next franchise center. The Beermen have this incredible balance of veteran savvy and young energy that makes them dangerous in any series, but I'm concerned about their perimeter defense, which ranked 7th in the league last season.
Now, let's talk about the team that's generated the most buzz in the offseason - the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Coach Tim Cone has worked his magic again in the draft, picking up what I consider to be the steal of the draft in the third round. Their roster reads like an All-Star team, with Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Christian Standhardinger forming what I believe to be the most formidable trio in the league. What makes Ginebra special, in my view, is how they've maintained their core while strategically adding pieces that fit their system perfectly. I've watched them develop their chemistry over the years, and it's remarkable how seamlessly new players integrate into their motion offense. Their fan base - the legendary Ginebra Nation - gives them what I estimate to be a 3-4 point home court advantage, which is massive in close games.
The TNT Tropang Giga present an interesting case study in roster management. After their disappointing finish last season, they've made what I consider bold moves in the trade market, acquiring two new starters while parting ways with veteran players who were fan favorites. Their point guard rotation now features three players who could start for most teams, creating what I see as both a strength and potential headache for their coaching staff. Mikey Williams, when he's on his game, is virtually unguardable - I've seen him drop 30 points on 60% shooting more times than I can count. But their success this season will depend heavily on how they manage egos and playing time, something I've observed many teams struggle with when they have too much talent at one position.
What's particularly exciting about this season's roster landscape is the influx of young talent from the collegiate ranks. The draft class featured at least five players who I believe can contribute immediately, with some potentially becoming franchise cornerstones. Teams like the Terrafirma Dyip, who've traditionally struggled to attract big-name free agents, have smartly invested in developing young talent through the draft. I've watched their rookie point guard in the preseason, and his court vision reminds me of a young Jimmy Alapag. If teams like Terrafirma can properly develop these young players, we might see a shift in the league's power structure in the coming years.
The import situation adds another layer of complexity to roster analysis this season. Each team's choice of import reveals so much about their strategic priorities. Some teams, like the NorthPort Batang Pier, have opted for scoring machines who can carry the offensive load, while others like the Magnolia Hotshots have chosen defensive specialists who can anchor their system. Having covered numerous import-laden conferences, I've noticed that the most successful imports aren't necessarily the highest scorers, but those who complement the local talent and buy into the team culture. Last season's Best Import award went to a player who averaged just 24.3 points but led his team in rebounds, assists, and steals - proof that all-around contributions matter more than pure scoring.
As I wrap up this roster analysis, what strikes me most is how the PBA has evolved into a league where roster construction has become both art and science. The days of simply stacking star players are gone - today's successful teams need the right mix of youth and experience, scoring and defense, star power and role players. While I have my personal favorites and predictions, what makes this season so compelling is the parity we're seeing across the league. There are at least six teams that I genuinely believe could win the championship, each with rosters built differently but equally effectively. The beauty of basketball is that games aren't won on paper, and I can't wait to see how these carefully constructed rosters perform when the real games begin. One thing's for certain - with the talent level across the league higher than I've seen in recent years, we're in for an unforgettable season of Philippine basketball.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
