Jake Figueroa

Last updated
Jake Figueroa
No. 8Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
Position Small forward / shooting guard
League KBL
Personal information
Born (2002-04-20) April 20, 2002 (age 23)
Minalin, Pampanga, Philippines
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Career information
High school Adamson (Manila, Philippines)
College NU (2021–2025)
Playing career2025–present
Career history
2025–present Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
Career highlights
  • UAAP Elite Team (2025)

Johnkimwell "Jake" Figueroa (born April 20, 2002) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He played college basketball for the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Before his collegiate career, he was named the UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Season 82 while playing for Adamson University.

Contents

Early life and high school

Figueroa is from Minalin, Pampanga. [1] [2] He played high school basketball for the Adamson University Baby Falcons. [3] In UAAP Season 82, he was awarded the Juniors Most Valuable Player award. [4] [5]

Collegiate career

Figueroa committed to play for the National University (NU) Bulldogs under head coach Jeff Napa. [5] [6] In UAAP Season 87, the team finished in seventh place. [1] [7]

UAAP Season 88

In UAAP Season 88, Figueroa served as the team captain for the Bulldogs. [3] [8] He led the team to an 11–3 record in the elimination round, securing the number one seed and a twice-to-beat advantage for the Final Four. [9] [10]

During the season opener, Figueroa recorded 16 points, six rebounds, five steals, and two blocks in a 72–57 win against University of the East (UE). [11] [7] Against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on October 1, 2025, he scored a season-high 22 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the final minute to secure a 76–69 victory. [12] [13] In a game against De La Salle University on October 12, Figueroa scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds in an 82–78 win, handing La Salle their third loss in four games. [14] On October 26, despite feeling ill, he tallied 17 points and 15 rebounds to help NU defeat Ateneo de Manila University 66–50. [15] [16] [17]

Figueroa made several game-winning plays in the second round of eliminations. [18] He scored the winning basket with 10.9 seconds left against Adamson University to win 66–65, confirming NU's Final Four berth. [19] [20] In a subsequent match against Far Eastern University, he scored 17 points and hit a clutch three-pointer with 73 seconds remaining to secure a 70–64 victory. [21] [22] [23] Due to his performance in the critical stages of the eliminations, he was named the Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of November 5 to 16. [24] [25]

In the Final Four, the top-seeded Bulldogs held a twice-to-beat advantage but were eliminated by the fourth-seeded De La Salle Green Archers after losing two consecutive games. [26] [27] Figueroa recorded a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds in the first game, which NU lost 87–77. [26] [28] In his final collegiate game, he posted 21 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a 78–73 loss. [29] [9] He finished the season with averages of 13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 block per game. [30] [4] He was subsequently named to the UAAP Season 88 Mythical Team. [31] [9]

Professional career

Following the conclusion of his collegiate career, Figueroa attracted interest from overseas scouts. [3] [31] On December 12, 2025, it was announced that he signed with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). [30] [32] [33] [1] He joined the team as an Asian Quota player, replacing Miguel "Migs" Oczon. [1] [27]

Player profile

Figueroa is a 6-foot-3 forward known for his versatility and two-way play. [29] [34] He has been described as a "do-it-all" player who contributes in scoring, rebounding, assists, and defense. [31] [27]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "After his best season with NU, Figueroa takes talent to Korean league". Tempo. December 13, 2025.
  2. "Jake "The Snake" Figueroa Has Finally Arrived". All-Star Magazine. October 14, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "NU Bulldogs' Jake Figueroa impresses overseas scouts, 'in talks with KBL team'". BusinessWorld. December 7, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Jake Figueroa set for KBL stint with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus after NU exit". One Sports. December 12, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "UAAP: Jeff Napa unsurprised as Jake Figueroa helps NU Bulldogs to first 3-0 start in Final Four era". One Sports. October 2, 2025.
  6. "UAAP: To will NU back to contention, Figueroa draws strength from Napa's trust". ABS-CBN News. September 21, 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Jake Figueroa, NU drub UE to begin UAAP Season 88 men's basketball campaign on high note". One Sports. September 21, 2025.
  8. "Jake Figueroa stars as NU edges UST to stay perfect in Season 88". Rappler. October 1, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 "Figueroa joins KBL's Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus". Daily Guardian. December 13, 2025.
  10. "Figueroa rises to occasion for Bulldogs". Daily Tribune. November 19, 2025.
  11. "Jake Figueroa, NU Bulldogs aim to display aggressiveness, effort in UAAP Season 88". One Sports. September 21, 2025.
  12. "Figueroa stars with huge fourth-quarter play as Bulldogs scathe Tigers". The Philippine Star. October 1, 2025.
  13. "NU's Jake Figueroa drops 22 points on UST". One Sports. October 1, 2025.
  14. "Figueroa-led NU sends La Salle to third loss in last four games". Spin.ph. October 12, 2025.
  15. "NU storms back behind Figueroa, topples skidding Ateneo to keep UAAP Men's Basketball helm". Tiebreaker Times. October 26, 2025.
  16. "NU's Jake Figueroa, Angel Surada bark way to latest UAAP Player of the Week honors". One Sports. October 28, 2025.
  17. "Figueroa steers NU past Ateneo". Manila Bulletin. October 26, 2025.
  18. "NU's Figueroa overtakes idle Phillips of La Salle in MVP race". Spin.ph. November 9, 2025.
  19. "Jake Figueroa comes up clutch for NU vs Adamson in Final Four bid". One Sports. November 9, 2025.
  20. "Jake Figueroa leads NU past Adamson". One Sports. October 8, 2025.
  21. "UAAP Men's Basketball: Figueroa's clutch triple propels NU closer to twice-to-beat edge over FEU". Tiebreaker Times. November 12, 2025.
  22. "UAAP: Jake Figueroa pushes NU past FEU and closer to twice-to-beat". Inquirer.net. November 12, 2025.
  23. "Figueroa comes up clutch anew vs FEU as NU closes in on F4 bonus". Spin.ph. November 12, 2025.
  24. "Jake Figueroa, Kent Pastrana pace league-leading NU, UST as UAAP Players of the Week". One Sports. November 18, 2025.
  25. "NU's Figueroa, UST's Pastrana power UAAP league leaders". The Philippine Star. November 18, 2025.
  26. 1 2 "UAAP: NU can't rely on Jake Figueroa alone, says Jeff Napa". Inquirer.net. December 4, 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 "After his best season with NU, Figueroa takes talent to KBL". Manila Bulletin. December 13, 2025.
  28. "NU's Figueroa keeps head up after UAAP swan song". The Philippine Star. December 7, 2025.
  29. 1 2 "UAAP: NU star Jake Figueroa wants overseas stint but no offers yet". Inquirer.net. December 6, 2025.
  30. 1 2 "Jake Figueroa signs with KBL's Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus". ABS-CBN News. December 12, 2025.
  31. 1 2 3 "UAAP: Is National U star Jake Figueroa headed for Korea?". ABS-CBN News. December 6, 2025.
  32. "Jake Figueroa headed to Korea, signs with KBL's Ulsan". Inquirer.net. December 12, 2025.
  33. "Figueroa takes talent to Korea". Daily Tribune. December 14, 2025.
  34. "NU's Jake Figueroa downplays MVP chances, focuses on UAAP title". The Manila Times. November 10, 2025.