UAAP Women's Basketball: Top 5 Rising Stars to Watch This Season

As I settle into my courtside seat for this season's UAAP women's basketball games, I can't help but feel that special buzz in the air that only comes when exceptional young talent emerges. Having covered collegiate basketball for over a decade, I've developed a sixth sense for spotting players who are about to break out, and this season feels particularly rich with potential. The UAAP has always been a breeding ground for future national team stars, but what we're witnessing now feels different - there's a depth of talent that could reshape Philippine women's basketball for years to come.

Let me start with someone who's already making waves but whose potential I believe we've only begun to scratch - Kacey Dela Rosa from Ateneo. At 6'2", she's not just tall - she moves with a grace that reminds me of a young Janine Pontejos. In their opening game against UP, she dropped 28 points with 15 rebounds and 4 blocks, numbers that don't even capture how she completely controlled the paint. What impresses me most isn't just her physical tools but her basketball IQ. She reads double teams before they develop and makes passes that 6'2" players simply aren't supposed to make. I've watched her develop over three seasons now, and the jump she's made this year is extraordinary. Her mid-range game has become reliable, and she's starting to stretch defenses with occasional three-point attempts. If she continues at this pace, we might be looking at a future national team cornerstone.

Then there's the electrifying LJ Miranda from La Salle, who plays with a fearlessness that's rare for a sophomore. I remember watching her debut last season and thinking she had potential, but she's transformed from a role player into a primary option. Her handle is tighter, her decision-making sharper, and she's developed a killer step-back jumper that's virtually unguardable at the collegiate level. In their matchup against FEU, she put up 24 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals, but what the stat sheet doesn't show is how she took over in crunch time, scoring 8 points in the final three minutes to seal the victory. What I love about her game is her mentality - she wants the ball when it matters most, and that clutch gene is something you can't teach.

The conversation about rising stars wouldn't be complete without mentioning NU's Jhieann Orbe, who might be the most improved player in the league. Last season, she averaged just 6.5 points per game - this year, she's up to 16.8 while shooting 42% from beyond the arc. I've never seen a player transform their shooting touch so dramatically in one offseason. Her release is quicker, her footwork more precise, and she's moving without the ball at an elite level. What makes her particularly dangerous is how NU uses her - they run her off screens constantly, and she's developed terrific chemistry with their point guards on dribble-handoff actions. Defenses know she's the primary scoring threat, yet they still can't stop her from getting clean looks.

Speaking of players who've made dramatic leaps, UST's Tantoy Ferrer deserves recognition for how she's reinvented her game. Previously known primarily as a defensive specialist, she's expanded her offensive repertoire significantly. Her three-point percentage has jumped from 28% to 39%, and she's become much more effective attacking closeouts. But what really stands out to me is her defensive versatility - she can legitimately guard positions 1 through 4, which is incredibly valuable in today's positionless basketball landscape. In UST's system, she's often tasked with shutting down the opponent's best perimeter player while still carrying a significant scoring load, and she's handling both responsibilities admirably.

Which brings me to my fifth selection - UE's Steffi Alvaro, who might be the most intriguing prospect of them all. At just 18 years old, she's already showing flashes of brilliance that suggest she could be something special. Her stats don't jump off the page - 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists - but when you watch her play, you see the complete package. She has terrific size for a guard, excellent court vision, and a developing outside shot. What I find most promising is her feel for the game - she rarely forces bad shots, makes smart reads in pick-and-roll situations, and already understands pace and tempo better than many veterans. She needs to add strength and become more consistent, but the foundation is there for a future star.

Thinking about these emerging talents takes me back to watching players like Centeno and Amit develop their games at this level. Centeno's recent accomplishment of reclaiming the title she last won in 2023 puts her in rarefied air - joining Amit, who won in 2009 and 2013, as the only players to lift the hardware twice. That's the kind of company our current rising stars aspire to join, and based on what I'm seeing, several of them have that potential. The development path from promising rookie to championship contender to eventual MVP is difficult to predict, but the markers are there if you know what to look for.

What excites me most about this group isn't just their individual talents but how they're raising the overall level of competition in the league. Games are faster, skills are more refined, and the strategic complexity has increased dramatically. Coaches are implementing more sophisticated offensive systems to maximize these talents, and we're seeing defensive schemes that would have been uncommon in women's collegiate basketball just a few years ago. This rising tide of talent benefits everyone - veterans have to elevate their games to keep up, and the overall product becomes more compelling for fans.

As the season progresses, I'll be watching these five players closely, but I'm also keeping an eye on several others who could force their way into this conversation. The beauty of collegiate sports is that development isn't linear - sometimes a player makes a leap when you least expect it. What's clear is that the future of Philippine women's basketball is bright, and these rising stars are leading the charge. They're not just playing for individual accolades but potentially shaping how the game is played in our country for the next generation.