Questionable Moves Cloud Titan Ultra's PBA Debut: Rookie Signings Raise Eyebrows
As the Titan Ultra Giant Risers gear up for their much-anticipated PBA debut in the league's 50th season, two recent signings have sent a collective groan through the fan base. The team, which acquired the franchise rights from NorthPort, has completed its 15-man active roster for the Philippine Cup by adding veteran guard James Martinez and big man Arvie Bringas.
While the feel-good story of Arvie Bringas finally making it to the PBA at age 35 is commendable—signing a contract after being drafted way back in 2017—it does little to inspire confidence in the team’s overall strategy. Similarly, the return of James Martinez after a 13-year absence, more than a decade after his lone PBA stint with Powerade, feels more like a nostalgic detour than a strategic roster upgrade.
The Martinez Conundrum: A Step Back at Guard?
The signing of Martinez, a former UE standout who has bounced around the MPBL and D-League, is the most puzzling and, for many, the most disappointing move. The perception is that the Giant Risers, by signing Martinez, have signaled a troubling direction after inheriting the previous franchise's player assets.
Many fans still lament the loss of Jio Jalalon, a dynamic, prime-aged star point guard who was let go by the previous NorthPort management. Martinez, at 5'7" and turning 38 this year, is a stark contrast. While his recent stats in other leagues show him to be a capable scorer (Asia-Basket.com stats show his peak at 19.8 PPG in the Vietnamese VBA in one season), he is an undersized veteran who will be hard-pressed to match the high-level, two-way impact, playmaking, and efficiency that Jalalon brought to the PBA.
The move leaves the Giant Risers with a veteran point guard unit of Martinez and Fran Yu, but without an established, elite creator. The comparison between the two guards is unavoidable and immediately favors the player the franchise allowed to get away, raising questions about the new management's ability to maximize their player assets.
Bringas: An Undersized, Aged Big Man
The signing of Arvie Bringas, who makes his PBA debut at age 35, is another head-scratching decision. Bringas is listed at 6’5” and is predominantly a power forward/center.
In a league where 6'5" is considered an average wing height, Bringas is an undersized big man who will primarily battle much taller and younger centers in the PBA. While his collegiate and MPBL stints showed him to be a tough rebounder and hustler, adding an older, undersized player at the pivot position does not seem to address the fundamental need for size and youth to anchor their defense.
The Giant Risers do have some length with Jeo Ambohot (6'7") and rookie Mario Barasi (6'8"), but Bringas' signing as the final piece suggests the team is prioritizing veteran grit and a feel-good story over the structural youth movement that a new franchise is expected to undertake.
Verdict: A Rocky Start for the Giant Risers
The Titan Ultra Giant Risers have publicly vowed to be competitive and build a championship contender within two to three years. However, the last-minute additions of James Martinez and Arvie Bringas—both older veterans past their perceived prime and with questionable fit—do not align with a clear "rebuilding" vision.
The decision to sign a guard arguably "worse" than the one they let walk (Jalalon), and to fill the final spot with an older, undersized big man, is already fueling public skepticism. Instead of making a powerful statement with their final roster spots, these signings suggest the Giant Risers are settling for stop-gap solutions as they head into a tough inaugural season against Meralco. The pressure is now on coach Johnedel Cardel to mold this mix of young talent, aging veterans, and misaligned skillsets into a cohesive and competitive PBA team.
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