James Payosing continues to gain valuable experience ahead of his much-awaited UAAP debut.
After playing in multiple preseason tournaments with the University of the Philippines and representing the country in the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League 2025, Payosing is set for another major test in the Asian University Basketball League.
The Fighting Maroons will face some of the continent’s top university teams in the 2nd AUBL Championship, scheduled from August 2 to 9 at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.
All of those experiences serve as preparation for Payosing’s first of two UAAP seasons, and the former NCAA Finals MVP is grateful he had a residency year to further develop his game.
“Last year, my residency year, tinrabaho ko talaga ‘yung skills ko kasi ‘yun ‘yung kulang ko talaga. Medyo huli ako sa basketball din nung dumating ako dito. First league ko nga ang NCAA, so sabi ko, the residency year would be a good thing for me, na I have a couple of months na magtatrabaho. Nag-focus lang ako and after, nakuha ako doon sa Gilas 3×3, magandang exposure din yun,” said the winger from Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
“Sa AUBL, sobrang laking bagay din ’yon sa amin, We’re so grateful that we’re part of this tournament na pupunta kami sa China. Titingnan lang namin kung ano yung kalalabasan and for sure, malaking tulong ito sa team namin, mag-i-improve kami for this coming UAAP,” he added.
In the AUBL, UP has been drawn into Group B alongside Japan’s Hakuoh University, the third-place finisher in the inaugural edition, and Korea University.
The top two teams from each of the tournament’s four groups will advance to the knockout stage. Universities from China, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, and Australia are also participating.
Payosing, who led San Beda University to the NCAA Season 99 (2023) championship and earned Finals MVP honors, transferred to UP after Season 100 (2024). He believes it was the perfect opportunity following the graduation of the program’s celebrated “Maroon 5” after UAAP Season 88 (2025).
“Sobrang random lang din kasi naisip ko, what if the rest of my playing years, mag-compete ako dito sa UAAP?” said the 6-foot-2 forward on his decision to transfer.
“Nakausap ko rin si Coach Tom Chua, sabi ko, ‘Coach, diyan na ako sa UP,’ and naisip ko rin yung Maroon 5 aalis na rin, so sabi ko it would be a perfect spot for me. Magfi-fit in din ako, knowing Coach Gold. Gusto niya talaga yung dogfight sa game, so I would say na feel ko magfi-fit ako dito sa UP.”
For Payosing, the AUBL is another valuable opportunity for the Fighting Maroons to continue building chemistry and ironing out areas they need to improve before the UAAP season begins.
“Chemistry and bonding namin maganda nga eh, kasi we started training, I think January, second week, tapos sobrang bilis lang ng panahon din. Naka-ilang liga na kami, naka-ilang games na rin kami. It’s a good thing every game kung ano yung result, win or lose, yung tatrabahuhin niyo talaga eh — kung paano kayo mag-stick together,” he said.
“Kung paano kayo mag-unite as a team, kasi yun ang priority na ma-improve namin. Kasi hindi natin masabi sa season, through ups and downs, we should stick together kahit ano yung mangyari. Kasi basketball is a team sport so hindi puwedeng may isa diyan na iba yung pakiramdam.”
