2027 PBA Draft: Can returning JD Cagulangan, Allen Liwag make up for lost time?

Editor's note: This is a biweekly feature assessing the draft stock of players eligible for the 2027 PBA Draft, tracking which prospects are boosting or hurting their case, or who is simply intriguing based on their performances and overall trajectory.

With two months before the 2027 PBA Draft, amateur standouts still have plenty of time to improve their chances of hearing their names called early and strengthen their cases to become high draft picks.

The UAAP and NCAA collegiate seasons are ongoing, giving prospects another platform to showcase their skills, address areas of their games that need improvement, and make a stronger case for themselves. Meanwhile, the MPBL is now in its postseason, providing draft-eligible players with meaningful games against experienced competition and another opportunity to show PBA teams what they can bring to the next level.

Here are the players who have caught our attention and stood out during the early part of November.

Stocks Up

Jorick Bautista (FEU Tamaraws - UAAP)

Jorick Bautista has emerged as one of FEU's brightest spots during a rough second round of games, with the graduating guard looking like the Tamaraws' most reliable offensive option.

In FEU's Nov. 4 win over UE, Bautista led the team with 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in four rebounds and one steal without any assist.

He followed up with an even bigger performance in FEU's one-point loss to UST on Nov. 8, pouring in 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 from three. Bautista also posted an impressive 64.3% true shooting mark, adding two rebounds and four assists as FEU leaned on him to carry its offense.

Known as a microwave scorer from the perimeter, Bautista can provide an instant scoring punch to any team he joins. His ability to heat up from the outside makes him a valuable offensive weapon, particularly when a team needs someone to create points in a hurry.

In UAAP Season 89, Bautista is shooting just 30.34% from three while attempting more than eight shots per game.

His efficiency remains a question, but his willingness to keep shooting should never be in doubt.

As coaches often say: There will always be a place on a team for shooters. Bautista's challenge is to make sure his shot-making catches up with his confidence.

-- Dongiapon

Jimboy Estrada (Letran Knights - NCAA)

Jimboy Estrada is making a strong case for himself ahead of the 2027 PBA Draft, showing he can take on greater offensive responsibilities while helping to keep Letran in contention in NCAA Season 102.

The 24-year-old veteran guard emerged as one of the Knights' primary scoring options while Jonathan Manalili was sidelined for several games, helping Letran to secure the No.1 seed in Group B and the first twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Estrada's 25-point explosion against the Arellano Chiefs on Oct. 29 best illustrates his offensive capabilities. He shot 10-of-14 from the field, including five triples, with four rebounds and three assists, while also helping to limit T-Mc Ongotan to just nine points.

Estrada continued to be a solid contributor on Manalili's return against the EAC Generals, finishing with 15 points in 23 minutes, showing he could thrive alongside Letran's primary playmaker without dominating the ball.

That adaptability is what makes Estrada an intriguing draft prospect. A capable combo guard, he pairs his shot-making ability with playmaking instincts, allowing him to function as both a scoring option and a ball-handler for the Knights.

With the quarterfinals approaching, Estrada has more opportunities to strengthen his draft credentials and further establish his value as a versatile guard.

-- Marco

Stocks Down

Monty Montebon (Adamson Soaring Falcons - UAAP)

Monty Montebon's first-round and second-round performances have been worlds apart.

In the opening round of UAAP Season 89, Montebon averaged 12.14 points, 2.71 rebounds, 3.71 assists and 2.14 steals per game while shooting an impressive 35.71% from the 3-point line.

His production helped Adamson to finish the round with a 4-3 record and a place in the top four of the standings.

But the Falcons have since lost their footing, dropping all four of their second-round games, including a defeat by the UE Red Warriors, who had gone two years without a win.

At the same time, Montebon has struggled to find his rhythm. His averages have dipped to 8.75 points, 4.25 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

More concerning is his shooting: He has made just nine of 42 attempts from the field (21.4%) in the past four games, including five of 25 from 3 (20%).

The slump has clouded Montebon's profile as a potential floor general capable of making an impact on both ends of the court. His early-season form showed promise, but he now faces questions about his ability to consistently run a team and contribute at the next level.

With three games to play in the second round, Montebon has a final stretch to show he can still become a reliable guard at the professional level.

-- Dongiapon

Gani Stevens (UP Fighting Maroons - UAAP)

Gani Stevens remains the kind of bruising big man any team would want on the floor, but his production has dipped in UP's past two games, raising concerns about his prospective value at the next level.

He made his presence felt on the glass as the Fighting Maroons defeated Adamson and Ateneo, pulling down six rebounds against the Falcons and seven against the Blue Eagles, but he scored just two points in both games..

It will be difficult to justify Stevens climbing higher in the draft if his modest production continues.

His recent slump could also renew questions about his offensive game, particularly his limited ability to create his own shots, which has long been a weakness.

Part of the reason for his quieter numbers is UP's loaded frontcourt, arguably the deepest collection of big men in the UAAP. Stevens shares the rotation with MVP frontrunner Veejay Pre, Choi Palanca, Miguel Yniguez, Sean Alter and Dikachi Udodo, who has impressed since taking over as the team's primary foreign reinforcement.

With that much talent up front, there will inevitably be stretches when Stevens takes a back seat to his teammates.

Nevertheless, his value goes beyond scoring, particularly in a rotation where he does not need to carry the offensive load.

-- Dongiapon

Eyes Up ��

JD Cagulangan (Abra Weavers - MPBL)

The return of JD Cagulangan has been one of the more intriguing developments in the MPBL, and he could emerge as another point guard option for teams looking to strengthen their backcourt in the 2027 PBA Draft. The former UP Fighting Maroons floor general is beginning to work his way back into competitive basketball after a torn left ACL cut short his stint with the Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2025.

Before turning professional, the 26-year-old guard established himself as one of the UAAP's premier floor generals, winning two championships with UP and capping his collegiate career with Season 87 Finals MVP honors.

Cagulangan's return with the Abra Weavers during the North Division Finals against San Juan is an encouraging first step, even if his involvement was initially limited to just less than four minutes in the series opener. He showed more of what he could offer in Game 2 as a starter, recording seven points, five rebounds, six assists as Abra secured a 76-65 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

His recovery and ability to consistently handle a full workload remain important considerations, but the early signs provide a glimpse of the playmaking dimension he can bring to a PBA team. His collegiate pedigree and international professional experience also make him worth monitoring.

-- Caramoan

Allen Liwag (Benilde Blazers - NCAA)

After sitting out the first 11 games of NCAA Season 102 due to injury, two-time MVP Allen Liwag is back on the court with limited time to remind PBA teams why he is one of the draft's most intriguing big-man prospects.

Liwag made his Season 102 debut against the JRU Heavy Bombers on Nov. 6, when he posted six points and three rebounds in just 15 minutes as he works his way back.

Despite the lengthy absence, Liwag's résumé speaks for itself, with consecutive MVP awards in Seasons 100 and 101 and previous invitations to the Gilas Pilipinas pool.

With his playing time still being managed, the Benilde big man must make the most of the remaining games to show that he can return to his dominant form. His health, confidence, and ability to lead the Blazers will be crucial to his draft outlook.

A strong postseason showing, particularly if Benilde makes a deep run, could see Liwag reaffirm his value as one of the NCAA's most dominant big men.

-- Marco

JC Macalalag (DLSU Green Archers - UAAP)

JC Macalalag has scored double digits in all of La Salle's games in the second round, including a 27-point explosion against UST -- when the Green Archers outscored the Tigers 25-9 in the fourth quarter despite not having primary point guard Jacob Cortez.

We have written extensively about Macalalag's value. Still, he remains a prospect with plenty of questions surrounding his game, particularly his offensive consistency and defensive tools.

The 6-foot-2 guard has been a steady contributor for La Salle, punctuated by a few standout performances. He has a few more games - and likely some playoff action -- to prove that he has something that stands out in the draft class.

-- Dongiapon