The San Juan Knights have made a bold statement ahead of the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season, announcing the signing of former UP Fighting Maroons standouts Harold Alarcon, Reyland Torres, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea—a quartet with deep chemistry and a winning pedigree.
Fresh from wrapping up their collegiate careers, the four were part of the UP Fighting Maroons squad that finished first runner-up in UAAP Season 88, falling short against the DLSU Green Archers in what was their final playing year in the league. While the crown eluded them, their collective journey has been marked by championships, resilience, and years of shared battles.
Long before donning the maroon and green, Alarcon, Torres, Abadiano, and Fortea were already teammates during their high school days with the NU Bullpups, forging bonds that would later translate to the collegiate stage. Alarcon, Fortea, and Abadiano joined UP as rookies in UAAP Season 84, immediately making an impact and capturing the championship in their debut year.
At the same time, Reyland Torres—along with Janjan Felicilda—was honing his game with the NU Bulldogs. Both Torres and Felicilda later transferred to UP in Season 85, reuniting with their former Bullpups teammates and strengthening the Maroons’ core.
That core reached its peak in UAAP Season 87, when Alarcon, Fortea, Abadiano, Torres, and Felicilda helped UP reclaim the championship. However, in Season 88, the Maroons were unable to defend the title, settling for a runner-up finish in their swan song year.
Individually, Harold Alarcon, a 6-foot-1 guard from Silay City, emerged as UP’s steady leader in their final campaign, averaging 12.39 points, 3.56 rebounds, 2.78 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Gerry Abadiano, a 5-foot-11 guard from Iloilo, thrived in the two-guard role, contributing 8.72 points, 1.94 rebounds, and 1.56 assists per contest. Reyland Torres, a gritty 6-foot-1 winger from Bago City, chipped in 4.67 points and 2.33 rebounds, while Terrence Fortea, a San Juan native, added 4.39 points and 1.44 rebounds per outing.
The infusion of young but battle-tested talent comes at a crucial time for the Knights. San Juan was eliminated last season by the Pangasinan Heatwaves, prompting a roster shake-up that saw the release of Joem Sabandal, Kraniel Viloria, AJ Royo, and Ron Dennison.
With the new signings, the Knights are clearly signaling their intent to contend—and more. San Juan is setting its sights squarely on dethroning the defending MPBL champions Abra Weavers in the upcoming 2026 season.
Armed with familiarity, championship experience, and something to prove beyond the UAAP, the Knights’ newest recruits could be the key pieces in San Juan’s bid to rise back to the top of the MPBL.