Froilan Baguion

Professional career

Froilan Baguion went unselected in the 2005 PBA Draft but landed with the Welcoat Dragons off the waiver wire. In November 2007, the PBA Press Corps named him their player of the week. He departed the Dragons—by then rebranded as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters—after the 2007-08 season, following the team’s first-ever semifinal appearance in the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference, where they fell to Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Coca-Cola Tigers

Baguion later suited up for the Coca-Cola Tigers. In a game at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, his split free throws with under 8.7 seconds left provided enough of a cushion to seal a win over the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. He claimed his first PBA championship with the San Miguel Beermen in 2009, a squad that included American import Gabe Freeman and PBA standouts Danny Ildefonso and Olsen Racela.

San Miguel Beermen

His first ABL title came with the Philippine Patriots, who won the inaugural ASEAN Basketball League championship by defeating Indonesia’s Satria Muda BritAma. He then guided the Chang Thailand Slammers to their first ABL crown, sweeping the AirAsia Philippine Patriots with the help of American import Jason Dixon and Thai star Attaporn Leitmalaiporn. Baguion joined the San Miguel Beermen for the ABL’s third season, starting at point guard until Chris Banchero returned from injury and paperwork issues during the playoffs. The team reached the finals, and Baguion was instrumental in their Game 1 victory, hitting a crucial three-pointer and dishing out double-digit assists.

Sports Rev Thailand Slammers

Under new management, the Thailand Slammers signed Baguion, seeking a point guard and playmaker to influence Thai basketball. That season, he led the league in assists, averaging 11 per game. In a February matchup against the Saigon Heat, he recorded 17 assists, an ABL record. He posted multiple double-doubles in Season 4 and notched the league’s first and only triple-double—10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists—also against the Saigon Heat.

Did You Know?

• He won a championship in the preseason Father Martin Cup in 2003 with NU.
• After the 2004 UAAP season, Baguion signed for the PBA Draft.