Some new faces, and a few familiar returns — so far.
This offseason, a fresh talent enters the Korean Basketball League (KBL), while a core of Filipino standouts in Japan's B.LEAGUE are running it back with redemption in mind.
Here’s a quick look at the latest official moves from Filipino Asian imports ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Arvin Tolentino (Seoul SK Knights)
2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup averages: 20.3 PTS | 7.3 REB | 3.9 AST
A two-time PBA champion, Arvin Tolentino is the latest Filipino star to take his talents overseas.
[ALSO READ: NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino bolts to KBL, signs with Seoul SK Knights]
The reigning Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference is embarking on a new chapter, signing with the Seoul SK Knights for the 2025–26 KBL season and bringing his six-year PBA journey to a close.
Fresh off a career year that saw him power the NorthPort Batang Pier to the no. 1 seed and a semifinal finish in the Commissioner's Cup, the 29-year-old forward now joins a Korean contender anchored by MVPs An Yeong-jun and Jameel Warney.
[ALSO READ: No regrets as Arvin Tolentino embraces fresh start with Seoul SK Knights in KBL]
Javi Gomez de Liaño (Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters)
2024-25 KBL season averages: 8.5 PTS | 2.9 REB | 57.1 FG%
Before Tolentino took his talents to Korea, it was Javi Gomez de Liaño who most recently blazed the trail as the last ex-PBA player to go overseas.
The former Terrafirma Dyip swingman impressed in his debut season with the Anyang Red Boosters, making it an easy decision for the 2023 KBL champions to bring him back for the 2025–26 campaign.
[ALSO READ: Javi Gomez de Liaño re-signs with Anyang Red Boosters in KBL]
In 53 appearances, the former UP Fighting Maroon tallied 26 double-digit scoring games, including a career-high 26-point performance eventual champion Changwon LG Sakers last April 3.
Anyang clinched the sixth and final spot in the KBL playoffs, but got swept by the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the quarterfinals.
Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido)
2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE averages: 11.5 PTS | 2.8 REB | 46.9 FG%
Dwight Ramos isn’t going anywhere.
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay is set to return for a fourth season with Levanga Hokkaido after a breakout 2024–25 campaign that saw him post career-best numbers across the board.
[ALSO READ: Dwight Ramos returns for fourth season with Levanga Hokkaido in Japan B.LEAGUE]
He averaged 11.5 points on 35.3 percent shooting from three and 82.1 percent from the line—marking new personal highs in all three categories.
Ramos suited up in 53 games and consistently delivered for Hokkaido, notching eight 20-point outings — including a career-high 30-point explosion in a 116–78 rout of the Shiga Lakes on March 12.
[ALSO READ: Dwight Ramos drops career-high 30 in Hokkaido's dominant B.LEAGUE win]
With the 26-year-old returning and Akatsuki Japan standout Keisei Tominaga joining the fold, Hokkaido could be primed for a serious playoff push next season.
[ALSO READ: Keisei Tominaga signs with Dwight Ramos' Levanga Hokkaido for next B.LEAGUE season]
Kai Sotto (Koshigaya Alphas)
2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE averages: 13.8 PTS | 9.5 REB | 1.2 BLK
Much like Ramos, Kai Sotto is running it back in Japan.
The 7-foot-3 Gilas Pilipinas center is set to return for a second season with the Koshigaya Alphas following a promising 2024–25 campaign that was unfortunately cut short by injury.
[ALSO READ: Kai Sotto re-signs with Koshigaya Alphas for 2025–26 Japan B.League season]
Sotto averaged career-highs of 13.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in 27 games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in January.
Despite playing only half the season, Sotto notched six 20-point games and had 10 games with double-digit rebounds, emerging as a key piece in Koshigaya’s frontcourt rotation.
The Alphas missed the playoffs, but the 22-year-old’s breakout stretch remains one of the brightest takeaways heading into his anticipated comeback year.
Ray Parks Jr. (Osaka Evessa)
2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE averages: 13.6 PTS | 4.2 REB | 2.8 AST
Parks is entering his fifth year in Japan—and his second with Osaka—after a career-best campaign last season.
[ALSO READ: Ray Parks Jr. returns to Osaka Evessa for 2025-26 B.LEAGUE season]
The 32-year-old guard played a key role for an Osaka squad that narrowly missed a wildcard spot in the 2024–25 playoffs.
Across 60 games, Parks scored in double figures 44 times, finished as the team’s third-leading scorer, and made 104 three-pointers at a 32 percent clip.
His strong showing earned him the Impressive Asia Player of the Year award, the second Filipino to receive the honor after Thirdy Ravena won it in its inaugural year.
[ALSO READ: Ray Parks Jr. earns Impressive Asia Player of the Year honors in Japan B.LEAGUE]
Aside from strond on-court performances, Parks is also thriving off the court, having recently tied the knot with social media personality Zeinab Harake.
[ALSO READ: RAYTone for Zebby: Ray Parks, Zeinab Harake tie the knot]
Kiefer Ravena (Yokohama B-Corsairs)
2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE averages: 9.8 PTS | 3.9 AST | 1.9 REB
Kiefer Ravena, like his fellow Filipino imports in Japan, is returning for another run—this time with the B-Corsairs for a second season.
[ALSO READ: Kiefer Ravena re-ups with Yokohama B-Corsairs for another Japan B.LEAGUE run]
The 31-year-old guard turned in a promising return to Japan's top division, flashing his signature court vision and poise even as Yokohama fell short of a postseason berth.
He finished as the team’s fourth-leading scorer and second-best playmaker, underscoring his impact on both ends as a steady offensive threat and floor general.
And just like Parks, Ravena is thriving off the hardwood, too. He recently tied the knot with former beauty queen Diana Mackey—adding a personal milestone to an already eventful year.
[ALSO READ: How newlyweds Kiefer Ravena, Diana Mackey first met]
AJ Edu (Gunma Crane Thunders)
2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE averages: 5.6 PTS | 6.0 REB | 1.4 BLK
Meanwhile, AJ Edu is moving on from the Nagasaki Velca and heading to a new chapter in his young career.
The 6-foot-10 big man signed with the Gunma Crane Thunders, a playoff-caliber squad looking to build on a promising 2024-25 season.
[ALSO READ: AJ Edu joins rising contender Gunma Crane Thunders for next B.LEAGUE season]
Gunma finished 39-21 and secured a wild-card berth before bowing out in the first round to the second-seeded San-en NeoPhoenix.
Edu played 59 games in his lone season with Nagasaki, finishing second in blocks across the B.LEAGUE and establishing himself as one of Japan’s top interior defenders.
Now with the playoff-tested Gunma Crane Thunders, Edu joins a frontcourt looking to take the next step.
Francis Lopez (Fighting Eagles Nagoya)
UAAP Season 87 averages: 10.8 PTS | 5.9 REB | 1.9 AST
Another young talent took the leap to the pros—and to Japan.
Former UAAP champion Francis Lopez is the latest Filipino to join the B.LEAGUE under the Asia Quota program, signing with the FE Nagoya for the 2025–26 season.
[ALSO READ: Francis Lopez to B.LEAGUE's FE Nagoya now official: 'It’s hard to say no']
Lopez gave up three years of college eligibility to fast-track his development overseas, following in the footsteps of fellow UP alumni Carl Tamayo and JD Cagulangan.
Nagoya finished 30-30 last season and narrowly missed the playoffs but with the high-flying youngster coming in, the Fighting Eagles are banking on a jolt of energy to help push them over the hump.
—
(The following players are added based on their teams from the previous season)
Carl Tamayo (Changwon LG Sakers)
2024-25 KBL averages: 15.2 PTS | 6.0 REB | 2.1 AST
Among all the Filipino imports, Carl Tamayo may have had the most impressive 2025 campaign yet.
In his very first season with the Changwon LG Sakers, the former UP standout emerged as a cornerstone of the squad, playing a key role in leading the team to the KBL championship after a dramatic seven-game Finals series against the Seoul SK Knights.
Tamayo shone brightest on the biggest stage, averaging 15.6 points in the Finals and earning a spot on the KBL Mythical Team earlier.
[ALSO READ: PH sports community celebrate as Carl Tamayo earns KBL title with LG Sakers]
[ALSO READ: Carl Tamayo proves worth with KBL Mythical Team selection for no. 2 seed LG Sakers]
Kevin Quiambao (Goyang Sono Skygunners)
2024-25 KBL averages: 16.9 PTS | 6.3 REB | 3.9 AST
Despite arriving only in mid-January, Kevin Quiambao made the most of his rookie stint with the Skygunners.
The two-time UAAP MVP etched his name in KBL history by dishing out a 18 assists during a 95–85 upset win over then-defending champions Busan KCC Egis last February 26.
18 assists were the most by any player in the KBL last season.
[ALSO READ: Kevin Quiambao sets KBL season record with 18 assists in Goyang Sono Skygunners win]
Quiambao also emerged as the Skygunners’ leading scorer by average, doing so in just 23 games—nine fewer than Junghyun Lee, who ranked second with 16.8 points per game.
[ALSO READ: Kevin Quiambao speaks on NBA plans, workout invitations]
JD Cagulangan (Suwon KT Sonicboom)
2024-25 KBL averages: 6.8 PTS | 4.0 AST | 2.4 REB
Much like his former collegiate rival in Quiambao, Cagulangan arrived midway through the 2024-25 KBL season fresh off leading the UP Fighting Maroons to the UAAP Season 87 UAAP crown.
The 25-year-old playmaker quickly made his mark, finishing as Suwon KT's second-best player in assists per game while steering the offense with poise and grit.
His efforts didn’t go unnoticed as Cagulangan was named the 2025 KBL Rookie of the Year, becoming just the second Filipino to earn the honor after current Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos.
[ALSO READ: JD Cagulangan wins KBL Rookie of the Year for Suwon KT Sonicboom]
Ethan Alvano (Wonju DB Promy)
2024-25 KBL averages: 16.5 PTS | 5.8 AST | 4.0 REB
After a historic 2024 campaign where he became the first Filipino to win MVP under the KBL’s Asian Quota system, Alvano saw a different outcome last season.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Am guard Ethan Alvano is 2024 KBL Most Valuable Player]
He led Wonju DB Promy to a league-best 41-13 record and a semifinals appearance last year, but the team missed the playoffs this season after slipping to seventh place.
Despite the downturn, Alvano still posted a career-high in scoring.
Matthew Wright (Kawasaki Brave Thunders)
2024-25 Japan B.LEAGUE averages: 10.4 PTS | 2.6 AST | 34.6 3-PT FG%
Matthew Wright turned in a solid first season with the Brave Thunders.
The former Phoenix Fuel Master hit the 20-point mark seven times in 56 games, and led the team with 1.8 triples per game—eclipsing 100 or more made threes in a single season for the third straight year.
SJ Belangel - Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
2024-25 KBL averages: 14.1 PTS | 4.7 AST | 2.9 REB
SJ Belangel had his best season yet in the KBL during his third year with Daegu.
Emerging as the team’s second-leading scorer behind import Andrew Nicholson, Belangel also led the squad in assists—striking a strong balance between being a reliable offensive weapon and a high-level playmaker.
Daegu finished the regular season with a 28–26 record, good for the no. 5 seed and a spot in the playoffs. There, Belangel faced off against former UAAP rival and KBL Rookie of the Year JD Cagulangan and his Suwon KT Sonicboom in the quarterfinals.
Despite winning Game 4 to force a do-or-die Game 5, Belangel and company fell short in a narrow 78–76 loss as the former Ateneo Blue Eagle finished with 13 points and five assists in the defeat.
[ALSO READ: JD Cagulangan, Sonicboom outlast SJ Belangel's Daegu to advance to KBL semifinals]