LOYALTY SWAP | ATO ULAR FOR JAMES KWEKUTEYE

The Titan Ultra Giant Risers are opening the season with a roster full of up-and-comers. Given how gutted the team was last year, that is not necessarily a bad thing since it at least shows they are trying to stay competitive. I am not sure what Johnedel Cardel has in mind, but trading James Kwekuteye for Ato Ular seems to suggest he has a plan for the former San Beda guard’s spot.

Speaking of Ular, the Letran pipeline to Titan Ultra remains alive despite Bonnie Tan reportedly cutting all ties with the old Northport franchise. Ular had a promising rookie campaign in 2022–23, averaging 11.2 points and 9.1 rebounds, but his career hit turbulence soon after. From Blackwater to NLEX to Phoenix, he struggled to find a consistent role and bottomed out last season with just 0.8 points and 1.6 boards in 25 games. Still, he gets a fresh start alongside fellow Knights Jerrick Balanza, Jeo Ambohot, and Fran Yu, and maybe that familiarity can help him recapture his old form.

The problem for Titan Ultra is... HAHA... size. Their 2025 PBA Draft haul did not address their need for frontcourt depth. They still hold Greg Slaughter’s rights, but it is unclear if he has any intention of returning. For now, Ambohot, Cade Flores, and Damie Cuntapay are tasked with battling giants like June Mar Fajardo, which is a tall order in every sense.

Then there is the Kwekuteye question. His exit may have been influenced by the presence of Chris Koon and the looming debut of Dave Ildefonso. Converge has been linked to him, and with assets like King Caralipio, Pao Javillonar, and Mark Denver Omega, they are in a position to make a deal. But the real prize is Ildefonso, who has been shining with the Abra Weavers in the MPBL and looks like a must-get talent.

As for Kwekuteye, his game is polarizing. He is not a ball hog, but he thrives in possession-heavy situations where he can dictate the offense. That works when he is the star, but it can be tricky to fit into certain systems. His stint with Phoenix could be telling, especially since the Fuel Masters never truly replaced Matthew Wright. With Ricci Rivero inconsistent and RJ Jazul and RR Garcia past their peak, Phoenix is hungry for a reliable scoring guard. If Kwekuteye can tap back into his San Beda days, this could be a career-defining move.

In the end, this is the story of two former NCAA standouts, Ular and Kwekuteye, who are both looking to rebound after underwhelming 2024–25 campaigns. Whether this reset sparks their careers is the big question heading into the new season.