Cabs Cabonilas, Maco Dabao, Mark Esperanza, Sean Franco headline 2026 NBTC 24 list

UAAP standouts Cabs Cabonilas of Far Eastern University-Diliman and Maco Dabao of De La Salle Zobel, along with NCAA standouts Mark Esperanza of San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Sean Franco of Arellano University, headline the 2026 NBTC 24—an annual list of the top under-19 players in the Philippines selected by the National Basketball Training Center.

Cabonilas, the presumptive Most Valuable Player of the UAAP Season 88 boys’ basketball tournament, climbed two spots from last year’s No. 3 ranking, behind Kieffer Alas and Lebron Jhames Daep, to claim the top spot this year. Dabao, meanwhile, secured the No. 2 position.

Cabonilas averaged 15.79 points, 8.86 rebounds, and 3.79 assists to lead the Baby Tamaraws back to the finals. Dabao, on the other hand, posted 17.29 points, 5.93 rebounds, 2.21 assists, and 2.5 steals as the Junior Archers returned to the Final Four for the first time since 2017. De La Salle Zobel, however, fell to National University Nazareth School, 75–70, in the semifinals last Sunday.

“Malaking bagay ‘yung experience na ‘to, lalo na sa NBTC na ganito. First time lang nangyari sa akin ‘to,” Cabonilas said on Monday.

Leading the NCAA contingent is Esperanza, who averaged 21.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals. Franco, the NCAA high school Most Valuable Player, powered Arellano University to a finals appearance behind averages of 16.46 points, 9.77 rebounds, 2.69 assists, 1.92 steals, and 1.38 blocks. The two ranked No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.

NBTC 24 list

1. Cabs Cabonilas (UAAP / FEU-Diliman)
2. Maco Dabao (UAAP / De La Salle Zobel)
3. Mark Esperanza (NCAA / San Sebastian College-Recoletos)
4. Sean Franco (NCAA / Arellano University)
5. Mot Matias (UAAP / National University Nazareth School)
6. Nathan Egea (NCAA / Colegio de San Juan de Letran)
7. Henry Suico (CESAFI / Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu)
8. Kirk Cañete (UAAP / University of Santo Tomas)
9. Shaun Lucido (UAAP / National University Nazareth School)
10. Noah Banal (UAAP / Ateneo de Manila University)
11. Ray Ladica (NCAA / Arellano University)
12. Andrei Ugaddan (NCAA / San Beda University)
13. Jay-M Leal (UAAP / Ateneo de Manila University)
14. Lian Basa (CESAFI / Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu)
15. Marc Burgos (UAAP / FEU-Diliman)
16. Justin Cargo (NCAA / Colegio de San Juan de Letran)
17. Jarl Artango (UAAP / Adamson University)
18. Josef Calo-Oy (NCAA / La Salle Green Hills)
19. Jhon Lord Cruz (North Luzon RC / Nueva Ecija D’Generals)
20. Bruce Tubongbanua (UAAP / UP Integrated School)
21. Kelly Coronel (NCAA / Emilio Aguinaldo College)
22. J Lord Pepito (Visayas RC / University of Southern Philippines Foundation-Playtown)
23. Duke Solon (Mindanao RC / RSY Group of Companies)
24. Zedrick Castillo (South Luzon RC / AG Sports Apparel)

Cabonilas and Dabao also conducted the draft for the NBTC All-Star Game set on March 29.

Cabonilas, who will lead Team Heart, selected Burgos, Leal, Cañete, Tubongbanua, Esperanza, Cargo, Ladica, Cruz, Solon, Castillo, and Basa. The remaining players will suit up for Dabao’s Team Hustle.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News