Discover the Complete Kia PBA Team Line Up for the Upcoming Season

As a longtime basketball analyst who’s followed the Philippine Basketball Association for over a decade, I’ve always found the preseason one of the most exciting times of the year. There’s something electric about watching teams reshape their identities, blend new talent with seasoned veterans, and build chemistry before a single official game tips off. This season, the Kia franchise—now under a refreshed management and coaching vision—has put together what I believe could be one of the most intriguing team lineups we’ve seen in recent memory. I’ve spent the last few weeks digging into their roster moves, watching preseason footage, and speaking with insiders, and I’m genuinely excited to share my take on their complete PBA team line up for the upcoming season.

Let’s start with the backcourt, because frankly, that’s where I think Kia’s biggest improvements lie. The addition of a seasoned playmaker like Joseph Terso—who I’ve admired since his college days—brings a level of court vision and unselfishness that this team desperately needed last year. I still remember watching one of their recent tune-up games where Terso didn’t just score; he orchestrated. In fact, in a standout performance against Davao, he dished out a game-high 10 assists to go along with seven points, five rebounds, and three steals. Those aren’t just numbers—they tell a story. Ten assists mean he was directly responsible for at least 20 points, possibly more if you count the free throws drawn by his passes. That kind of facilitation is priceless, especially when you’re trying to integrate new scorers into the system. Alongside him, I expect veteran guard Reden Celda to take on a larger role. Celda’s mid-range game has improved noticeably, and his defensive intensity sets the tone during crucial stretches. I’ve always felt that backcourt chemistry can make or break a team’s playoff chances, and with Terso and Celda sharing ball-handling duties, Kia’s half-court execution should be far more fluid than last season’s sometimes stagnant offense.

Moving to the wings, Kia has retained the services of athletic forward John Smith—a player I’ve criticized in the past for inconsistency but who seems to have bulked up and refined his shooting mechanics during the offseason. Smith’s ability to attack closeouts and finish above the rim gives Kia a dimension they’ve lacked, and if he can maintain his focus on defense, he’ll be a nightmare matchup for slower opponents. But what really caught my eye was the signing of young gun Mark Torres from the amateur ranks. Torres is raw, no doubt, but his energy is infectious. I watched him in a scrimmage last month where he grabbed three offensive rebounds in five minutes—the kind of hustle stats that don’t always show up in headlines but absolutely impact winning. Pairing him with Smith creates a nice balance of experience and youthful exuberance, something I believe will pay dividends during the long conference schedule.

Now, let’s talk about the bigs—the anchor of any serious PBA contender. Kia’s frontcourt looks deeper this year, with veteran center Alex Reyes returning after a solid season averaging around 12 points and 9 rebounds per game. Reyes isn’t flashy, but he sets solid screens, protects the paint, and rarely makes mental errors. Alongside him, I’m particularly excited about the development of young power forward Luis Cruz. Cruz showed flashes of brilliance last year, especially with his pick-and-pop game, and if he can improve his rebounding numbers—he averaged roughly 6 boards a game last season—he could emerge as one of the league’s most versatile big men. I’ve spoken with a few coaches who’ve worked with him, and they rave about his work ethic. That’s the kind of intangible that gets me excited as an analyst.

Of course, a team is more than just its starters. Kia’s bench looks to have more firepower this time around, with reliable role players like Jeff Manuel and Rico Lim providing defensive stability and spot-up shooting. Manuel, in particular, is a player I’ve always underrated—he’s not going to drop 20 points every night, but he’ll guard the opponent’s best perimeter player and make the right pass in transition. In today’s PBA, where the pace is faster than ever, having a deep bench isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Based on what I’ve seen, Kia’s second unit could easily keep them in games when the starters need a breather.

Chemistry and coaching will ultimately determine how far this team can go. Head coach Tim Cone’s system demands discipline and unselfishness—two traits that seem to align perfectly with the personnel they’ve assembled. I had a chance to speak with Coach Cone briefly last month, and he emphasized the importance of “playing the right way,” which to him means moving the ball, communicating on defense, and trusting each other. It sounds simple, but in a league where iso-ball still dominates, it’s a refreshing approach. With players like Terso buying into that philosophy—evident in his 10-assist outing—I’m optimistic that Kia can exceed expectations this season.

Looking at the bigger picture, I think Kia has positioned itself as a potential dark horse in the upcoming PBA season. They may not have the superstar power of some legacy franchises, but they’ve built a balanced, cohesive roster that fits well together. As someone who values team basketball over individual accolades, I find that incredibly appealing. If they can stay healthy—and if Terso continues to distribute the ball at such a high level—I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a deep playoff run. The upcoming season is full of unknowns, but one thing’s for sure: Kia’s complete team line up has given fans like me plenty of reasons to tune in.