I still remember the first time I watched Vince Sison play for Terrafirma—there was something electric about his court presence that you don't often see in rookies. Having followed the PBA for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous talents come and go, but Vince's trajectory feels different. His journey from being relatively unknown to becoming one of the most talked-about guards in the league didn't happen overnight, and it certainly wasn't accidental. What fascinates me most is how seamlessly he adapted to the professional level, almost as if he'd been preparing for this his entire life.
When Terrafirma drafted him, many questioned whether he could handle the pressure of playing alongside established names like Franz Diaz. Let me be honest—I had my doubts too. Franz, after all, had been averaging around 14.2 points per game that season and had become the cornerstone of Terrafirma's offense. But what Vince brought to the table wasn't just raw skill; it was an almost intuitive understanding of spacing and timing. I recall one particular game against Barangay Ginebra where he dished out 8 assists while committing only 1 turnover. That kind of poise in a high-pressure situation is rare, especially for someone in his first conference.
What really stands out to me about Vince is his work ethic. I've spoken with a couple of team insiders, and they all mention how he's often the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. He spends extra hours studying game tapes, focusing not just on his own performance but also on how opponents defend pick-and-roll situations. This dedication translated into tangible results fairly quickly. By the middle of the Commissioner's Cup, his scoring average had jumped to 12.8 points per game, and his three-point shooting percentage hovered around 38%—a significant improvement from his early games.
I've always believed that a player's true test comes during clutch moments, and Vince has already had several opportunities to prove himself. There was that nail-biting match against San Miguel where Terrafirma was down by 3 with less than 20 seconds on the clock. Instead of forcing a contested three, Vince drove to the basket, drew a foul, and sank both free throws. They eventually lost in overtime, but his decision-making in that moment showed a maturity beyond his years. It's moments like these that make me think he's not just a temporary sensation—he's here to stay.
Of course, his partnership with Franz Diaz has been crucial to his development. Franz, being the veteran that he is, has taken Vince under his wing, often directing him during offensive sets and helping him read defensive schemes. Their two-man game has become one of Terrafirma's most reliable weapons, accounting for nearly 24% of the team's half-court points in the last 5 games I analyzed. What I appreciate about their dynamic is how they complement each other; Franz creates space with his outside shooting, while Vince uses his agility to penetrate and kick out when defenses collapse.
Let's talk about his defense, though—an area where many young guards struggle. Vince isn't what I'd call a lockdown defender yet, but his lateral quickness and active hands have led to 1.7 steals per game over the past month. He's still learning to navigate screens and occasionally gets caught out of position, but his effort is consistently there. I noticed in their recent game against TNT that he managed to force two crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter, both leading to fast-break points. That kind of impact on both ends of the floor is what separates good players from potential stars.
Some critics argue that he needs to develop a more consistent mid-range game, and I tend to agree. Right now, about 65% of his field goal attempts come from either beyond the arc or within the restricted area. While his efficiency near the rim is impressive—he's converting roughly 58% of his attempts in the paint—adding a reliable pull-up jumper would make him virtually unguardable in isolation situations. I'd love to see him work on this during the offseason, perhaps studying how other PBA guards like Paul Lee create their own shots from the elbow.
What truly sets Vince apart, in my opinion, is his basketball IQ. He rarely takes bad shots, and his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.8:1 is among the best for local guards in the league. I remember one play where he recognized a defensive switch before it even happened, immediately calling for a screen that led to an open three for a teammate. These subtle, almost imperceptible decisions are what coaches dream of, and they're why I believe he has the potential to become one of the premier point guards in the PBA within the next two seasons.
His journey reminds me of how some of the league's greats started—not with flashy dunks or headline-grabbing stat lines, but with steady improvement and an unwavering commitment to mastering the fundamentals. While it's still early in his career, the foundation he's building with Terrafirma looks solid. The organization seems committed to developing him properly, and with mentors like Franz Diaz around, I'm confident we'll see Vince continue to grow into a more complete player.
As someone who's watched countless prospects come through the PBA, I can say with some authority that Vince Sison has that special combination of talent, intelligence, and drive that separates transient players from lasting stars. He's already proven he belongs in the league, but what excites me most is imagining what he'll become once he fully puts everything together. If he maintains this trajectory, I wouldn't be surprised to see him representing the Philippines internationally in the near future. For now though, I'm just enjoying watching his story unfold—one smart play at a time.
