I still remember watching Jack Santiago’s debut for the UST Growling Tigers on July 14, 2011, thinking this kid had something special—even if the stat sheet didn’t exactly scream "future star." In a game that went down to the wire, UST edged out National University 73-72 in overtime, and Jack? He logged 20 minutes but put up just five points and three rebounds. Not exactly headline-grabbing numbers, but if you were paying attention, you saw the glimpses—the defensive hustle, the smart positioning, the unselfish play. That’s the thing about careers: they rarely start with fireworks. Sometimes, they start quietly, like Jack’s did, and it’s the journey that turns potential into greatness.
From my perspective, that modest debut was actually a perfect preview of the kind of player Santiago would become—a grinder, someone who valued team success over personal stats. I’ve followed Philippine basketball for years, and it’s players like Jack who often have the most interesting career arcs. They don’t burst onto the scene; they build themselves brick by brick. And in the PBA, where flashy imports and high-scoring locals often dominate the conversation, it’s easy to overlook the guys who do the dirty work. But trust me, as someone who’s analyzed dozens of player trajectories, those are the ones who last. Jack’s early struggles in the UAAP, frankly, made his eventual transition to the pros all the more compelling. He wasn’t handed anything; he earned every minute.
Let’s fast forward a bit. After that 2011 season, Santiago’s role with UST gradually expanded. By his final year, he was averaging around 12 points and 7 rebounds per game—solid, reliable numbers that caught the eye of PBA scouts. When he declared for the draft, I remember thinking he’d be a mid-to-late pick, maybe a role player off the bench. But Jack had other plans. He landed with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, a team known for its tough, defensive identity, and honestly, it was a match made in heaven. In his rookie PBA season, he posted averages of 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in about 18 minutes per game. Not superstar production, but he quickly became a fan favorite for his energy and basketball IQ.
What really stands out to me, though, are the playoff moments. In the 2018 Governors’ Cup, Rain or Shine made a deep run, and Jack had a breakout performance in Game 3 of the semifinals—16 points, 9 rebounds, and a couple of steals that swung the momentum. I rewatched that game recently, and his defensive rotations were just impeccable. He wasn’t the most athletic guy on the court, but he was always in the right place at the right time. That, to me, is the hallmark of a smart player. It’s no surprise that by the 2019 season, he was logging closer to 25 minutes a game and even notched a career-high 22 points against Ginebra. Stats like that don’t lie—they show a player who’s constantly evolving.
Of course, no career is without its setbacks. Jack dealt with a minor knee injury in early 2020 that sidelined him for about six weeks, and I’ll admit, I was worried it might slow him down. But he came back stronger, adjusting his game to rely more on positioning and less on explosive movements. It’s that kind of adaptability that separates the good players from the great ones. Over the last couple of seasons, he’s settled into a key role as a veteran leader, mentoring younger guys while still putting up around 10 points and 6 rebounds per contest. He might not be in the MVP conversation, but he’s the type of player every contender needs—a glue guy who does the little things.
Looking back, it’s almost poetic how far Jack Santiago has come. From that quiet debut in 2011 to becoming a PBA staple, his journey is a testament to hard work and resilience. In my opinion, his career highlights aren’t just the big scoring games or the playoff heroics—they’re the consistency, the leadership, and the way he’s maximized his potential. If you’re a young player looking for inspiration, don’t just watch the highlight reels; watch how Jack moves without the ball, how he communicates on defense, how he’s built a career out of substance over style. That’s the stuff that truly matters, and frankly, it’s what makes his PBA story one you really need to see.
