FILE–San Beda’s James Payosing during a game against JRU in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—James Payosing is soaking up everything he can learn before suiting up for the University of the Philippines in UAAP Season 89.

Already an experienced vet during his days with San Beda, Payosing added to his resumè by being selected to be part of the Gilas Pilipinas’ men’s 3×3 squad last month.

READ: Shorthanded San Beda leans on James Payosing to beat JRU

“That was a good experience,” said Payosing at SM North Edsa on Saturday for UP’s contract signing with Puma. “I got to represent the country and we competed with other players there, players who were D1 athletes.”

Payosing’s run with Gilas 3×3 may not be the most colorful in the Fiba Youth Nations League but that doesn’t take anything away from his value for the Fighting Maroons in the future.

Payosing already has an established name in the collegiate ranks after winning the NCAA Season 99 Finals MVP with the Red Lions in 2023 when they defeated Mapua in a three-game series.

However, after that season, Payosing was unable to fuel San Beda back to the NCAA Finals as they succumbed to College of St. Benilde in the Final Four of Season 100.

READ: James Payosing wins ‘unexpected’ NCAA Finals MVP

That loss would turn out to be Payosing’s last run with San Beda as he transferred to Diliman.

The two-way forward will serve a residency year before he can represent UP in the UAAP, but it’s safe to say that his excitement levels are through the roof.

“I’m excited for next year but this year, I’m focused on improvements and adapting with UP’s system.”

“We’ll build our chemistry with our residency.”