10/09/2025
LOOK | Sean Quitevis Makes History, Defies Odds
With the 36th pick in the 2025 PBA Draft, the TNT Tropang 5G select…… Sean Quitevis.
As this line was spoken throughout national television last September 7, 2025, Jose Antonio “Sean” Quitevis Jr. made history as the first PAREF Springdale student to make it into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). However, Sean’s story was never easy, but his grit and determination set a standard to what a true Titan should aspire to be like.
Sean is a former team captain of the PAREF Springdale basketball varsity team and is noted by former coaches and colleagues to have always been a leader both on and off the court, and a perfect example of a student-athlete. Nevertheless, ever since Sean stepped foot into the Ateneo Blue Eagles training facility, he was always labeled the “underdog” and was doubted in the early stages of his college career.
Despite all of this though, the former PAREF Springdale Titan always instilled that “mamba mentality” inside of him. Looking up to Kobe Bryant as his first basketball hero, Sean used the same mentality that propelled Kobe to be an all-time great for him to be a walk-on-turned-reject to a champion-turned-Ateneo Blue Eagles captain.
In an interview with Coach Jax Bautista, Sean’s former basketball coach at PAREF Springdale School, he mentioned that the former Blue Eagle was “always eager to learn and hungry for more.” And maybe this is what truly defines the type of player Sean Quitevis is. The 6’1” 25 year old guard is one who has gained reputation for his high IQ, discipline, and hustle. He is considered to be the “glue guy” of any team he plays in, not making flashy moves or highlights, but playing unselfish, winning basketball.
“This achievement is a milestone not just for the school, but also for our current players.”, Coach Jax said. While Sean took his leap to stardom under the wings of Coach Tab Baldwin, his basketball journey started in a gymnasium located at the third floor of a school comprising of around 400 students. The same venue and coaches that develop our Springdale gentlemen today were the same ones that helped mold this raw, talented athlete into a great one.
Sean’s journey reminds us that we should never give up on our dreams and to keep pushing forward. His story gives us hope and belief that even if someone comes from a small school, he or she can still make it into the big leagues. He could have given up when he was cut twice from Team B or left out the bubble roster. But no. He persisted against all odds and is now a UAAP Champion, former MPBL player, and now ready to make noise in Asia’s oldest basketball league.
Congratulations, Sean! The Springdale community is proud of you!
Words by Daniel Go
Photos from One Sports Livestream