I still remember the first time I watched Chris Bitoon play—there was something about his court vision that immediately caught my attention. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen countless players come and go, but Bitoon's journey to the PBA stands out as particularly compelling. His path wasn't the conventional one we often see with highly-touted collegiate stars, but rather a testament to perseverance and seizing opportunities when they arise. What fascinates me most about his career is how he's managed to transform from an undrafted player into someone who consistently contributes meaningful minutes.

The recent PVL on Tour match between Nxled and Petro Gazz actually provides an interesting parallel to Bitoon's professional evolution. When Nxled pulled off that stunning upset against Petro Gazz with scores of 25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-10 last Saturday at Batangas City Sports Center, it reminded me of Bitoon's own ability to overcome expectations. Both demonstrate that in Philippine sports, the underdog narrative isn't just a cliché—it's a reality that plays out regularly. I've always believed that these kinds of upsets reveal more about character than talent alone, and that's precisely what we've witnessed in Bitoon's career trajectory.

Bitoon's college career with the San Sebastian Stags wasn't exactly headline material, which makes his professional success even more remarkable. He put up decent numbers—I recall he averaged around 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in his final collegiate season—but what the statistics don't show is his basketball IQ and defensive tenacity. These are the qualities that I think often get overlooked in player evaluations. When he went undrafted in 2019, many wrote him off, but having watched his development closely, I wasn't surprised when he eventually earned his PBA opportunity.

His breakthrough came with the Makati Super Crunch in the MPBL, where he truly flourished. The numbers he posted there—approximately 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game—finally reflected what I'd been seeing in his game all along: a versatile guard who could impact both ends of the floor. What impressed me most during this period was his improved three-point shooting, which climbed to about 38% from beyond the arc. This development wasn't accidental; I remember reading interviews where he discussed spending extra hours specifically working on his perimeter shooting.

When Bitoon finally entered the PBA with the Blackwater Bossing, it felt like validation for everyone who believed in his potential. His rookie season statistics—around 7.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in limited minutes—don't tell the full story of his contribution. Having attended several of those games, I observed how his defensive intensity often sparked transitions and created opportunities that don't appear in box scores. This is precisely why I've always argued that some players' impacts transcend traditional statistics.

The comparison to Nxled's recent upset victory isn't merely superficial. Just as Nxled lost two consecutive sets before rallying to win the match, Bitoon faced numerous setbacks before finding his footing in professional basketball. I've noticed this pattern repeatedly in Philippine sports—the most compelling careers often involve overcoming significant obstacles. Bitoon's journey exemplifies what I consider the essence of Philippine basketball: resilience, adaptability, and seizing moments when they matter most.

His performance in the 2022 PBA season, particularly during the Commissioner's Cup, demonstrated substantial growth. I was particularly impressed with his game against Ginebra where he contributed 14 points, including three crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter. These are the moments that separate role players from impact players, and Bitoon has shown he belongs in the latter category. What I appreciate about his development is how he's expanded his game without sacrificing the defensive identity that initially earned him playing time.

Looking at Bitoon's career trajectory, I can't help but feel optimistic about his future. At 28, he's entering what I consider the prime years for Philippine guards, and his game shows continued refinement. His assist-to-turnover ratio has improved to approximately 2.8:1 this season, indicating better decision-making under pressure. These subtle improvements might not make headlines, but for those of us who analyze player development, they signal meaningful progression.

The recent Nxled victory and Bitoon's career both underscore an important truth about Philippine sports: conventional paths to success are becoming less relevant. Just as Nxled overcame a more established opponent through determination and strategic adjustments, Bitoon has carved his professional path through continuous improvement and mental toughness. In my view, this makes his story not just inspiring but instructional for aspiring athletes.

As Bitoon continues his PBA journey, I believe we're witnessing the maturation of one of the league's most underrated guards. His story resonates because it reflects the reality that success often comes through persistence rather than pure talent alone. The Nxled upset serves as a perfect metaphor—sometimes the expected narrative gets rewritten, and that's exactly what makes Philippine basketball so compelling to follow year after year.