Discover the Complete Kia PBA Team Line Up and Player Roster for This Season

As a longtime basketball analyst who has followed the Kia PBA team for several seasons now, I’ve always been fascinated by how roster construction can make or break a team’s campaign. This season, the Kia squad—officially known now as the Davao Occidental Tigers—has put together a lineup that’s turning heads, blending youth with experience in a way that promises exciting basketball. Let’s dive into the team’s current player roster and unpack what each piece brings to the floor. I’ll admit, I’m particularly optimistic about this group, especially after watching their recent performances where chemistry seems to be clicking ahead of schedule.

From my perspective, the backbone of any competitive PBA team lies in its guard rotation, and Kia has some real gems here. Joseph Terso, for instance, has been a revelation. In their last outing, he dished out a game-high 10 assists while adding seven points, five rebounds, and three steals—a stat line that screams versatility. I love how he controls the tempo; it’s not just about racking up assists, but making the right pass at the right moment. Having watched him develop over the years, I’d say his court vision is among the best in the league this season, and that’s not something I say lightly. Alongside him, veterans like Mark Yee bring that gritty, defensive mindset. Yee, at 38 years old, might not have the spring in his legs he once did, but his basketball IQ is off the charts. I’ve always believed that experienced players like him are invaluable for mentoring younger talents, and you can see it in how the team communicates on switches and help defense.

Moving to the wings and big men, Kia’s frontcourt has a nice mix of athleticism and size. Players like Billy Robles and Leo Najorda offer scoring punch from the perimeter, which stretches defenses and opens up driving lanes. Robles, in particular, has impressed me with his mid-range game—he’s shooting around 48% from two-point range this season, based on the stats I’ve tracked. Then there’s the center position, where Emman Calo and Andrian Celada hold things down. Calo’s rebounding numbers hover near 8.5 per game, which is solid for a role player, but I’d like to see him be more aggressive in the paint. Honestly, if this team can improve its interior defense, they’ll be a nightmare matchup in the playoffs. I’ve noticed they tend to give up too many second-chance points—maybe 12 to 15 per game on average—and that’s an area they’ll need to tighten up.

What really stands out to me, though, is the team’s depth. With a roster that goes 12 players deep, Coach Mike Yupangco has options to mix and match lineups depending on the opponent. For example, in their recent win, they rotated in three different point guards, keeping the pressure high throughout the game. That kind of flexibility is huge in a compact season like this, where injuries and fatigue can derail a team’s momentum. I remember covering a game last month where they used a small-ball lineup with Terso at the helm, and it completely disrupted the opposing team’s rhythm. It’s those strategic wrinkles that make me think Kia could surprise a lot of people this year. Plus, the chemistry seems genuine; you can tell these guys enjoy playing together, which isn’t always the case in professional setups.

Of course, no team is perfect, and Kia has its share of challenges. Their three-point shooting has been inconsistent—I’d estimate they’re hitting only about 32% from beyond the arc, which puts them in the bottom half of the league. If they want to contend for a championship, they’ll need to find more reliable shooters or tweak their offensive sets to generate cleaner looks. Also, while Terso’s playmaking is elite, his scoring output can be uneven. In one game, he might drop 15 points, but in another, he could go quiet with just 4 or 5. As a fan, I’d love to see him take more charge as a scorer when the situation demands it, but that’s a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar package.

Wrapping things up, I’m genuinely excited to see how this Kia PBA team lineup evolves over the season. With key players like Joseph Terso setting the tone and a balanced roster that covers multiple bases, they have the potential to make a deep run. From my years in the basketball world, I’ve learned that teams with strong chemistry and a clear identity often outperform those with more star power but less cohesion. So, if you’re a fan or just a casual observer, keep an eye on this group—they might just become the dark horse story of the year. And who knows? With a few adjustments, we could be talking about them hoisting a trophy sooner rather than later.