The PBA transaction wire is always full of surprises, and the recent move by the Blackwater Bossing has left a very intriguing name on the free-agent market. In a bid to bolster their backcourt scoring, Blackwater recently signed veteran sharpshooter Michael DiGregorio, making the tough decision to cut big man Richard Escoto to free up the roster spot.
While DiGregorio’s shooting provides immediate value to Blackwater, Escoto’s sudden availability should be turning heads across the league. Escoto may not be a franchise-altering superstar, but he is a high-motor, high-IQ rotation big who does the dirty work. In a league where frontcourt depth is constantly tested by injuries and foul trouble, he shouldn't be without a team for long.
Here are the top three teams that should immediately consider making an offer to the newly minted free agent:
The newest franchise on the block has shown flashes of promise, but if there is one glaring hole in their roster construction, it’s their frontcourt depth. Outside of a few key pieces, Titan struggles to find consistent, reliable minutes from their bigs, especially when facing the traditional powerhouses of the league.
This is where Richard Escoto comes in. Yes, he is undeniably undersized for a traditional PBA power forward or center. But what he lacks in sheer verticality, he makes up for with a high basketball IQ. Escoto understands positioning, knows how to set solid screens, and rarely plays outside of his capabilities. For a Titan squad that is still trying to build a cohesive system, having a smart, low-maintenance big man off the bench is exactly the kind of depth they need to survive the grueling PBA schedule.
#2. Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots
Sometimes, roster moves are about filling a statistical need, and sometimes they are about keeping a specific identity intact. The Magnolia Hotshots have built their brand on grit, hustle, and relentless physical defense. Unfortunately, they are currently dealing with a familiar frustration: Russel Escoto, Richard’s older brother, has been sidelined once again due to injury.
With Russel out, Magnolia is missing a specific type of energy in their frontcourt rotation. Why not replace an Escoto with an Escoto? Richard plays with the same hard-nosed, blue-collar mentality that Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero covets. He wouldn't need to be a star; he would just need to come in, grab rebounds, play physical defense, and commit hard fouls when necessary. It’s a seamless cultural fit that helps the Hotshots weather the injury bug.
#1. Terrafirma Dyip
When you are a team fighting to establish a winning culture and climb out of the bottom tier of the standings, your front office philosophy should be simple: accumulate as much PBA-level talent as possible.
Terrafirma cannot afford to be picky when a capable, seasoned rotation player hits the open market. While they have dynamic scorers like Jerrick Ahanmisi carrying the offense, their overall roster depth remains arguably the thinnest in the league. Bringing in Richard Escoto gives Coach Johnedel Cardel a reliable body to throw at opposing bigs, saving his primary scorers from exhausting themselves on the defensive glass. Escoto provides instant stability and professionalism to a second unit that desperately needs both. If Terrafirma wants to take the next step toward playoff contention, scooping up solid free agents like Escoto is where that journey begins.
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