PBA San Miguel Team Roster and Player Stats for the Current Season

I still remember the first time I watched Juan Gomez de Liaño play overseas - there was something special about how he moved on the court that made me certain we'd see him back in the PBA someday. Fast forward four years, and here we are with his recent statement ringing in my ears: "I felt like it's the perfect time. I've been overseas for four years. I gained a lot of experience there. Developed a lot, not just as a player, but as a person as well." That development is exactly what San Miguel needs right now, and having followed this team for over a decade, I can confidently say this might be our most promising roster in recent memory.

Let me break down why I'm so excited about our current lineup. We've got June Mar Fajardo still dominating the paint - the man's averaging 18.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this season, which is just insane for someone who's been in the league this long. What people don't always notice is how his presence opens up opportunities for players like CJ Perez, who's been shooting at 44% from the three-point line. I've watched every game this season, and the chemistry between these two has evolved in ways I haven't seen since the days of Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot. Speaking of veterans, Marcio Lassiter continues to defy age with his 38% three-point shooting, though I've noticed his defensive speed has decreased by about 15% compared to last season.

Now about Gomez de Liaño - his return couldn't have come at a better time. Having watched his development in Japan's B.League and then in Indonesia, I can see how his international experience has refined his game. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.2 in his last overseas season shows he's learned to protect the ball better, something our bench desperately needed last conference. I remember criticizing his decision to leave four years ago, but watching him now, I have to admit I was wrong - those years abroad clearly made him the complete package we're getting today.

Our backcourt depth this season is something I haven't seen since the 2019 Commissioner's Cup championship team. With Chris Ross still quarterbacking at 38 years young and Terrence Romeo providing that explosive scoring off the bench, we have what I believe is the most versatile guard rotation in the league. What really excites me though is seeing Simon Enciso finding his rhythm after that mid-season trade - he's increased his scoring average from 8.4 to 14.2 points per game since joining San Miguel. I've always been a fan of his shooting mechanics, and now that he's getting consistent minutes, we're seeing why he was so highly touted coming out of college.

The frontcourt situation is where I have some concerns, if I'm being completely honest. While Fajardo is still phenomenal, our reliance on him worries me - when he's off the court, our rebounding drops by nearly 40%. Moala Tautuaa has been serviceable but inconsistent, and I think Coach Jorge Gallent needs to give more minutes to our younger big men like James Apori, who showed flashes of brilliance during the preseason. What I'd really like to see is more small-ball lineups with Vic Manuel at the five - his mid-range game could stretch defenses in ways we haven't fully exploited yet.

Looking at our overall team statistics, we're shooting 46% from the field as a team, which ranks second in the league, but our defensive rating of 108.3 places us fifth. That defensive gap is what cost us the championship last conference, in my opinion. The addition of Gomez de Liaño should help - his length and international experience could improve our perimeter defense significantly. I've noticed during recent games that we're switching more on screens, which tells me the coaching staff is addressing last season's weaknesses.

What makes this San Miguel team particularly special, in my view, is the blend of veteran leadership and young energy. You've got Fajardo, Ross, and Lassiter providing that championship pedigree, while players like Gomez de Liaño and Allyn Bulanadi bring that fresh perspective from their international and collegiate experiences. I've spoken with several players off the record, and there's a sense in the locker room that this could be the beginning of another dynasty period for the franchise.

As we approach the crucial part of the season, I'm particularly excited to see how our playoff rotation shapes up. Based on what I've observed, I'd start Fajardo, Perez, Lassiter, Gomez de Liaño, and Ross, with Romeo, Manuel, and Tautuaa as the primary bench contributors. That gives us scoring, defense, and playmaking across both units. If we can maintain our offensive efficiency while shaving 3-4 points off our defensive rating, I genuinely believe we're looking at championship number 29 for the most successful franchise in PBA history. The pieces are there - now it's about putting them together at the right time, and frankly, I haven't been this optimistic about our chances since our 2019 grand slam run.