Nonoy Baclao

Siverino A. "Nonoy" Baclao Jr. (born June 15, 1987) is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). A forward who can also play center, he played three seasons for the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines from 2007 to 2009 and led the Eagles to back-to-back basketball championships in his last two seasons with them. He also played for the Philippine Patriots in the ASEAN Basketball League and led the team as the inaugural champion of the 2009-10 ABL season. In the PBA, he made the All-Rookie Team and has won two championships.

Early life Baclao was born in Bacolod.

College career Baclao attended the first few years of college at the West Negros University, where he led the WNU Mustangs to the 2005 National University Games (Unigames) crown in Bacolod City and the 2006 Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) National Students Championship (Inter-Collegiate) title. His reputation as a major defensive contributor, especially in blocking and rebounding, was noticed by Manila-based college scouts, and in 2006 he was recruited by Ateneo de Manila University.

After serving the mandatory one-year residency rule imposed by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Baclao made it to the Blue Eagles roster in the 2007 UAAP season, where he contributed to the team's defense, although they failed to make it to the Finals. He was adjudged as the Finals MVP and the Smart Defensive Player of the Year. In his final UAAP season, where Baclao shared the captaincy with Jai Reyes and Rabeh Al-Hussaini, he averaged 6.4 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game, 2.5 blocks per game, and 1.4 assists per game in 27.9 minutes per game, and was a key factor in the Eagles' defense of the UAAP title against the University of the East Red Warriors.

Professional career

Philippine Patriots Weeks after leading the Eagles to its second straight UAAP basketball championship, Baclao signed with the Philippine Patriots, the country's professional team playing for the ASEAN Basketball League. Coach Louie Alas saw him reprising his role he had with the Blue Eagles as he backstopped the team's defense. Baclao's superb clutch plays off the bench has helped the Patriots win games, especially their rematch against the Singapore Slingers in Manila on November 7, 2009, where they won, 70–53. After briefly returning to Ateneo for the PCCL finals, he made his return to the team against the Kuala Lumpur Dragons.

Petron Blaze Boosters In 2011, Baclao, Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra were traded to the Petron Blaze Boosters for Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Peña and Paul Artadi.

He was awarded as a member of the All-Rookie Team by season's end. On his second year, his minutes went down and was seldom used by the Boosters.

Air21 Express During the 2012 off-season, he, along with Niño Canaleta, Robert Reyes and John Wilson were traded to the Air21 Express. Under Franz Pumaren, his play improved and he became more confident in his abilities. They qualified for the playoffs of the 2012–13 Philippine Cup, where they were stopped short of the semifinals by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.

Meralco Bolts At the start of 2013, Baclao found himself on the move once again as he and Wilson were traded for the Meralco Bolts' Vic Manuel, Carlo Sharma, and a 2016 second round pick.

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters Baclao was again traded on October 13, 2013 in a three-team trade that involved Air21, Talk 'N Text, and Meralco, this time landing with the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.

GlobalPort Batang Pier On September 22, 2014 Baclao and Harold Arboleda were traded to GlobalPort Batang Pier for Jay Washington. This trade is a part of a multiple team trade between GlobalPort, Talk 'N Text, and the NLEX Road Warriors. His usage went down in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup, as he played only four games and averaged .5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 10 minutes. In a Game 2 win of their Commissioner's Cup semifinal series against the Star Hotshots, he stepped up with 10 points and five rebounds. They went on to sweep Star and enter the Finals, but were swept themselves by the San Miguel Beermen. After the season, Alaska gave him a one-year contract extension. For the 2015–16 season, they made back-to-back Finals appearances, but lost each time.

In the opening game of the 2016–17 season, Baclao scored 12 points in a loss to NLEX, but injured his knee. He was not able to play for the entire Philippine Cup.

On August 29, 2018, eight years after he got drafted, Baclao had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists in a win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters as they started the Governors' Cup 3–0. They went on to lose in the Finals once again. An MRI revealed that he had ruptured his patella tendon. After the season, Alaska did not renew his contract.

Meralco Bolts In 2020, Baclao was signed by Meralco. Despite not playing for them, Meralco signed him for another year. At the end of the 2022–23 season, Meralco released him.

San Miguel Beermen Baclao played for the San Miguel Beermen during the PBA On Tour preseason games. On July 17, 2023, he officially signed with the Beermen. This is his second stint with the franchise, having last played with them in 2012 when the team was previously known as the Petron Blaze Boosters.

Season-by-season averages

Career highlights and awards UAAP Season 71 Finals Most Valuable Player UAAP Season 71 Smart Defensive Player