Ateneo de Manila University’s Aiden Lazaro has become the first homegrown Filipino baseball talent to enter IMG Academy’s elite development program, marking a historic first for Philippine baseball.
At 13, Lazaro has already captained Ateneo teams, won a Palarong Pambansa baseball title, and earned an individual award in Asian competition. He has played for Ateneo’s baseball varsity since kindergarten and served as team captain across several age divisions. He now leads the school’s Pony Division team as a Grade 8 student.
Last school year, Lazaro earned a place on Ateneo’s UAAP Juniors roster while still in Grade 7. He became the only Grade 7 student on Ateneo’s UAAP Juniors baseball roster.
His rise also extends beyond school competition. Lazaro won gold with the National Capital Region at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. A year earlier, he represented the Philippine U12 National Team at the Asian Baseball Championship in Japan, where he earned the Most RBI award.
IMG Academy is a sports education institution in Bradenton, Florida, combining high-level athletic training, academics, and personal development. The academy has built a global reputation for developing elite athletes. Its training system helped shape tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, and NBA center Zach Edey.
Lazaro recently completed the first phase of his long-term program at IMG’s 600-acre campus. He trained under former Major League and professional baseball coaches, players, and scouts.
“I’m excited to immerse myself in a new training environment and learn from everyone at IMG Academy who helped develop some of the top athletes and professional players,” Lazaro said.
“I’m humbled by this privilege and I’m ready to work hard to make the most of it,” he added.
He will continue studying and playing for Ateneo while training with IMG through online sessions in Manila and in-person work during school breaks. His goal remains reaching Major League Baseball while representing the Philippines.
