Once regarded as a novelty, the “Asian Quota” player system in regional basketball has evolved into a launching pad for Filipino hoopers to prove that Puso travels well—be it in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) or Japan’s B.LEAGUE.
From pioneers like Thirdy Ravena to current youngsters like Carl Tamayo and JD Cagulangan, these stars took the leap across borders and made their mark in the toughest leagues outside the Philippines.
[ALSO READ: Overseas Filipino Hoop Dreamers scream quality Pinoy talent]
Here’s a look at the most decorated Filipino players lighting it up abroad.
Carl Tamayo - Changwon LG Sakers
- 2025 KBL Champion
- KBL Best 5 Selection
- 2023 B.LEAGUE Champion (Ryukyu Golden Kings)
For Carl Tamayo, success has never been a destination. It's been a constant companion.
Tamayo took his talents to Japan in 2023, signing with the Ryukyu Golden Kings, where he added yet another title to his résumé during his rookie B.LEAGUE season.
However, with limited playing time in a deep rotation, Tamayo made a bold move—jumping to South Korea’s KBL to chase a bigger role.
[ALSO READ: Carl Tamayo headed to KBL to play with Changwon LG Sakers]
That gamble paid off.
In his first season with the Changwon LG Sakers, Tamayo blossomed into a central figure for a team that would go on to win the 2025 KBL title.
[ALSO READ: PH sports community celebrate as Carl Tamayo earns KBL title with LG Sakers]
His expanded role and improved numbers landed him a prestigious KBL Best 5 selection, solidifying his position as one of the league’s best players.
[ALSO READ: Carl Tamayo proves worth with KBL Mythical Team selection for no. 2 seed LG Sakers]
Earlier, Tamayo was a back-to-back champion with the NU Bullpups in the UAAP juniors division. He carried that momentum into college, helping deliver the UP Fighting Maroons’ first UAAP title in 36 years in Season 84.
JD Cagulangan - Suwon KT Sonicboom
- 2025 KBL Rookie of the Year
Another former UP Fighting Maroon is making waves overseas.
Cagulangan proved his mettle in his debut season with the Suwon KT Sonicboom, earning the 2024–25 KBL Rookie of the Year honors despite joining the team midseason.
He became just the second Filipino to win the award after current Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos, who won the honor in 2023 while suiting up for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
[ALSO READ: JD Cagulangan wins KBL Rookie of the Year for Suwon KT Sonicboom]
The 5-foot-9 guard missed the first 17 games of the season after steering the UP to another UAAP men’s basketball championship, but made an immediate impact upon arrival in South Korea.
[ALSO READ: JD Cagulangan confirms move to KBL, signs with Suwon KT Sonicboom]
Cagulangan helped the Sonicboom finish the regular season with a 33–21 record, securing the No. 4 seed heading into the playoffs.
Suwon outlasted the no. 5 Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in a grueling five-game quarterfinal series before falling to the top-seeded Seoul SK Knights in the semifinals.
Despite the exit, Cagulangan’s consistent playmaking, floor leadership, and defensive energy earned him the league’s top honor for a first-year player, capping off a promising rookie run.
Ethan Alvano- Wonju DB Promy
- 2024 KBL MVP
- KBL Best 5 selection
Alvano made history as the first Filipino Asian Quota player to win the Korean Basketball League MVP, doing so in the 2023-24 season.
He also became the first non-Korean player to win the league’s highest individual distinction, averaging 15.9 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds on top of earning a KBL Best 5 selection.
The Filipino-American's stellar play propelled Wonju DB Promy to a league-best 41-13 record at that time and a direct semifinal berth.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Am guard Ethan Alvano is 2024 KBL Most Valuable Player]
Though Wonju DB fell short in the semis, Alvano’s achievement marked a milestone for the league and Filipino basketball.
This season, the 28-year-old continued to deliver solid numbers but the team slipped to a 25-31 finish, missing the playoffs and settling for seventh place.
[ALSO READ: Ethan Alvano displays MVP form, drops 32 points in Wonju's KBL win over Seoul]
Ray Parks Jr. - Osaka Evessa
- 2025 Japan B.LEAGUE Asia Player of the Year
Already a seasoned pro by the time he joined Japan’s B.LEAGUE, Ray Parks Jr. has steadily grown into a consistent and reliable offensive contributor—and his latest season was his best yet.
Before signing with the Osaka Evessa, the 32-year-old spent three years with the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins.
[ALSO READ: B.League: Ray Parks Jr. welcomes fresh start, signs with Osaka Evessa in the B1]
But a change in scenery that sparked a rejuvenation for the lefty wingman.
In just his second game with Osaka, Parks Jr. fired for 23 points and seven rebounds and immediately showcased a more aggressive and confident approach to his game.
The former second pick of the 2018 PBA Draft went on to post career-best numbers across the board, averaging 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game—all personal highs since joining the B.LEAGUE.
Though Osaka ultimately missed the playoffs, his individual growth did not go unnoticed.
The Filipino swingman was recently named the 2025 B.LEAGUE Asia Player of the Year, joining the footsteps of fellow Asian Quota import in Thirdy Ravena.
[ALSO READ: Ray Parks Jr. earns Impressive Asia Player of the Year honors in Japan B.LEAGUE]
Kiefer Ravena - Yokohama B-Corsairs
- 2024 Japan B.LEAGUE B2 Champion (Shiga Lakes)
After parting ways with the NLEX Road Warriors, the older Ravena took a bold step to continue his career abroad, signing with the Shiga Lakestars.
Over four seasons, Ravena played a crucial role in Shiga’s redemption, culminating in winning the B2 championship last and securing a promotion back to Japan’s top-tier B.LEAGUE.
[ALSO READ: “I got one championship" | Kiefer Ravena's B2 title win with Shiga Lakes, in photos]
Following this achievement, Ravena signed with the Yokohama B-Corsairs.
He averaged 9.8 points and 3.8 assists per game in his first season with the squad although the team fell short of reaching the playoffs.
Thirdy Ravena - Dubai BC
- 2024 B.LEAGUE Asia Player of the Year (San-en NeoPhoenix)
The younger Ravena didn’t just make history—he opened the floodgates.
When the former Ateneo star signed with the San-en NeoPhoenix in 2020, he became the first-ever Filipino player to suit up in Japan’s B.LEAGUE under the Asian Quota system.
At the time, it was a bold leap into uncharted territory. Four years later, it’s a decision that has aged into legacy.
[ALSO READ: AH YABAI: Thirdy Ravena reflects on career-year with San-en NeoPhoenix]
Since Ravena’s arrival, a wave of Filipino talent has followed—his older brother Kiefer, Parks Jr., Dwight Ramos, and Kai Sotto among them—turning Japan into a prime destination for rising Pinoy hoop stars.
But it was Thirdy who walked through that door first.
Across 181 games with San-En, Ravena steadily grew into his role. He averaged 11.2 points per game during his four-year B.LEAGUE stint.
His final season in Japan was his finest as the former Ateneo Blue Eagle. Ravena put up career-best numbers—12.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and capped it off by earning the inaugural B.LEAGYE Asia Player of the Year award in 2024.
[ALSO READ: B.League: Thirdy Ravena named Impressive Asia Player of the Year]
He recently signed with BC Dubai in the Dubai Basketball League, becoming the first Filipino to play in the UAE-based competition.
Rhenz Abando
- 2023 KBL Champion (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters)
- 2023 EASL Champion (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters)
- Slam Dunk Champion (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters)
- 3x3 All-Star Champion (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters)
Rhenz Abando’s first year in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) was a highlight reel in motion.
From jaw-dropping dunks to a championship run, the high-flying Filipino made the most of his short but memorable stint with the Anyang Red Boosters, helping the team win the 2023 KBL championship.
[ALSO READ: ‘The ride is never easy’: Rhenz Abando pens emotional message after becoming KBL champion]
Not only that, Abando scored 11 points to help the Red Boosters win the East Asia Super League (EASL) that same year after toppling the Seoul SK Knights. He thus became the first and only overseas Filipino player so far to claim an EASL title.
[ALSO READ: Rhenz Abando becomes first overseas Pinoy hooper to win EASL title]
Abando’s explosive athleticism was on full display throughout the season, but it was All-Star Weekend where he truly stole the show—winning both the KBL Slam Dunk Contest and the 3x3 All-Star Game.
[ALSO READ: Rhenz Abando is KBL Dunk King]
Though his time in the KBL lasted just two seasons, Abando made an immediate impact from the moment he stepped onto the court.
RJ Abarrientos - Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
- 2023 KBL Rookie of the Year (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus)
- 3x3 All-Star Game Champion (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus)
Before suiting up for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Abarrientos made waves overseas with a standout rookie campaign in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
The former FEU Tamaraw became the first Filipino to win KBL Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 while playing for Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
[ALSO READ: RJ Abarrientos wins KBL Rookie of the Year award]
Abarrientos averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 51 games that season, helping Ulsan secure a 34–20 record and a fourth-place finish in the standings.
His impact extended to the All-Star festivities, where he became the only Asian import voted into the KBL All-Star Game that season. He added another highlight by leading Team Asia to victory in the 3x3 All-Star tournament, teaming up with Abando and SJ Belangel.