Miguel Yniguez | Photo from Photo from miguel_yniguez4/Instagram
The University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team continues to bolster its lineup with promising young talents and the latest addition is Filipino American hooper Miguel Yñiguez, a 6-foot-6 wing from San Diego, California.
A former San Francisco State standout in the US NCAA Division II, Yñiguez is set to make his UAAP debut in Season 88 this year, bringing with him a combination of size, shooting touch and a deep sense of pride in wearing the maroon jersey.
Yñiguez, who officially transferred to UP in 2024, has four playing years ahead with the Fighting Maroons. He joins a program that recently made waves thanks to another Fil-Am player, Jacob Bayla, whose key performance helped UP overcome De La Salle University in a pivotal match last season.
His story was recently spotlighted in the fifth episode of “Runs in the Blood,” a series that celebrates the journeys of athletes. As the episode teaser puts it: “The UP spirit is built on three pillars: honor, excellence, and service.” For Yñiguez, those words resonate deeply.
“From a young age,” the team shared, “San Diego, California native Miguel Yñiguez embraced this mantra—to act with honor, strive for excellence, and serve for the name in front of the jersey always in all ways.”
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The message hints at the character and commitment Migs brings to the team, not just as a player but as someone ready to live out the values UP upholds.
Back in 2023, Yñiguez posted a message on social media that confirmed his commitment to UP: “I am beyond blessed to announce that I am committing to the University of the Philippines. To everyone who has helped me continue my journey, maraming maraming Salamat po (thank you very much)! You write your own story. #upfight”
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As UAAP Season 88 approaches, all eyes will be on Yñiguez as he begins to write his next chapter – this time in Diliman – hoping to help lead the Maroons back to championship glory.
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In the meantime, he invites everyone to support them as they head to Japan for the 2025 World University Basketball Series August 9-11.
