BY MARK REY MONTEJO
Following his breakthrough performance with National University in the UAAP Season 88, versatile guard Jake Figueroa has decided to bring his act overseas.
This, after the 23-year-old Figueroa signed with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the fast-rising Korean Basketball League (KBL), the club announced Friday, Dec. 12.
“Jake Figueroa has joined us as our Asian Quota player,” Ulsan wrote on its social media post. “Please cheer for Hyundai as we grow together with Figueroa.”
The 6-foot-3 playmaker became pivotal in the Bulldogs’ 11-3 finish in the elimination to take the No. 1 spot heading into the semifinals.
Despite carrying the coveted twice-to-beat bonus, Figueroa and Co. bowed twice to the Jacob Cortez-powered De La Salle Green Archers.
Still, it was a marked improvement from a seventh-place showing in Season 87.
The Minalin, Pampanga native, who completed his playing-year tenure with the Sampaloc-based squad, is anticipated to become part of this year’s Elite Team with his superb statline of 13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 block, and 2.1 steals per contest.
Figueroa, the UAAP juniors MVP in Season 82, replaced his compatriot and former NU guard turned CSB Blazer Migs Oczon, who suited up for the Mobis Phoebus since his debut in December of 2023. Ginebra floor general RJ Abarrientos also played for Mobis before moving to Ginebra.
He will be the latest Filipino addition on Korean soil after fellow UAAP stars Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, JD Cagulangan, and SJ Belangel.
Ulsan is currently sharing the ninth spot with Daegu KOGAS as both squads hold 6-13 win-loss cards.
