Discover the Top 5 Rising San Beda Basketball Players to Watch This Season

As I settle into my courtside seat for another exciting San Beda basketball season, I can't help but feel that special buzz in the air that only comes when you know you're about to witness something special. Having followed collegiate basketball for over fifteen years as both a sports analyst and genuine fan, I've developed this sixth sense for spotting emerging talent before they become household names. This season, there's a particular group of San Beda players who've caught my eye - young athletes who aren't just playing the game but are reshaping it with every possession.

Let me start with the obvious standout - Cedrick Manzano. Now here's a player who makes me lean forward in my seat every time he touches the ball. In that nail-biter against La Salle, where San Beda narrowly lost 58-60, Manzano wasn't just playing - he was conducting a masterclass in interior dominance. The senior big man dropped 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds, numbers that don't even begin to capture his impact on both ends of the floor. What impressed me most wasn't just his statistical output but his basketball IQ - the way he positioned himself for crucial rebounds, his timing on defensive rotations, and that soft touch around the rim that you simply can't teach. At 6'7" with surprising agility, he reminds me of a young June Mar Fajardo in the making, though I'd argue Manzano might have better footwork at this stage of his development.

Then there's James Galindo, this lightning-quick guard who's been turning heads with his explosive first step. I watched him put up 14 points and 7 assists against UP last week, and what struck me was his court vision - this kid sees passing lanes that simply don't exist for most players. He's averaging about 12.3 points and 5.8 assists this season, but statistics never tell the whole story with players like Galindo. It's the intangible qualities - the leadership he displays during crunch time, the way he elevates his teammates' performance, that defensive intensity that leads to at least three or four crucial turnovers per game. I've spoken with several scouts who believe he could be the best point guard prospect to come out of San Beda in the last decade, and after watching him dismantle defenses with both his scoring and playmaking, I'm inclined to agree.

Miguel Santos represents what I like to call the "glue guy" every championship-caliber team needs. While he might not light up the scoreboard like Manzano or Galindo, his value transcends traditional statistics. The sophomore forward is averaging 8.7 points but more importantly contributes 9.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. I've charted his defensive impact across five games this season, and what stands out is his remarkable positioning - he's always in the right place at the right time, whether it's providing weak-side help defense or crashing the offensive glass. In my professional opinion, Santos could develop into one of the premier defensive specialists in the collegiate ranks if he continues refining his footwork and adding muscle to his 6'5" frame.

Now let's talk about Rafael Tolentino, a player who embodies the modern stretch-four that's becoming increasingly valuable in today's game. Standing at 6'6" with a shooting touch that extends beyond the arc, Tolentino creates matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. I've tracked his shooting percentages throughout the preseason, and his 42% from three-point territory is genuinely impressive for a player of his size. But what really excites me about Tolentino isn't just his shooting - it's his basketball instincts. He understands spacing better than most veterans, constantly moving without the ball to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. In their recent matchup against Ateneo, he finished with 16 points on efficient 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep, while pulling down 8 rebounds. Players with his combination of size and shooting touch don't come around often in the collegiate level, making him a particularly intriguing prospect to monitor.

Completing my list is the dynamic wing player Marco Reyes, whose athleticism jumps out at you from the moment he steps on the court. Reyes is that prototypical two-way player who impacts the game on both ends, using his 6'4" frame and impressive wingspan to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots. Offensively, he's a slasher who attacks the rim with purpose, drawing fouls and creating high-percentage scoring opportunities. Defensively, he's versatile enough to guard multiple positions, something I've seen him do effectively against both quicker guards and stronger forwards. His stat line of 11.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game only tells part of the story - it's his energy and intensity that truly set him apart.

Watching these five players develop throughout the season has been one of my genuine pleasures as a basketball analyst. Each brings a unique skill set that complements the others, creating what I believe could be the most balanced San Beda team we've seen in recent years. Manzano's interior presence, Galindo's backcourt leadership, Santos' defensive anchor capabilities, Tolentino's floor spacing, and Reyes' two-way versatility - it's a combination that gives San Beda multiple ways to win games. What excites me most isn't just their individual talents but how they're growing together as a unit, developing that chemistry that often separates good teams from great ones. As the season progresses, I'll be keeping a close eye on these five rising stars, confident that they have what it takes to not just compete but to potentially dominate in the coming years.