2025-11-17 12:00
As I sat courtside watching the Amores PBA draft unfold, I couldn't help but feel that familiar mix of anticipation and skepticism that comes with every major sports draft. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've learned that draft night promises often look very different from actual court performance. But this year's selections? They're particularly fascinating.
Let me start with what everyone's talking about - Chery Tiggo's strategic move that's already making waves in the preseason. For the second time in this preseason tournament alone, Chery Tiggo helped Creamline avoid infamy by essentially handing them what could be the steal of the draft. I watched their new acquisition, Miguel Santos, drop 28 points in his debut game last week, and frankly, I haven't seen rookie numbers like that since Terrence Romeo entered the league. The way Santos moves without the ball reminds me of a young James Yap - always finding the gaps, always ready for that catch-and-shoot moment that separates good players from great ones.
What makes this draft class special isn't just the top picks though. It's the depth. Teams found legitimate rotation players well into the second round, which rarely happens in our league. I spoke with three different team managers who all agreed this might be the deepest draft since 2014, when we saw players like Stanley Pringle and June Mar Fajardo enter within years of each other. The statistical projections I've seen suggest at least 12 of these 24 draftees will still be in the league five years from now - that's nearly 50% retention rate, which is remarkable by PBA standards.
Breaking Down the Amores PBA Draft reveals some fascinating team strategies that went beyond just picking the best available player. Take Rain or Shine's selection of 6'8" center Carlo Jimenez at number 4 - many experts had him going later in the first round, but the Elasto Painters clearly valued his rim protection over everything else. Meanwhile, Ginebra's choice to trade up for point guard sensation Paul Cruz shows they're thinking about life after LA Tenorio. I've watched Cruz play since his college days, and his basketball IQ is off the charts for a 22-year-old.
The preseason games have already given us glimpses of how these picks might pan out. That Chery Tiggo-Creamline game I mentioned earlier? It wasn't just about avoiding a bad record - it showcased how draft strategies translate to actual wins. Chery Tiggo's decision to draft for specific needs rather than just taking the flashiest available player demonstrates a maturity in their front office approach that we haven't seen from them before. They identified gaps in their rotation and filled them with players who can contribute immediately rather than projects that need years of development.
What surprised me most was how many teams prioritized versatility over specialization. In today's positionless basketball era, having players who can switch everything on defense and create mismatches on offense is becoming increasingly valuable. The draft's third overall pick, Juancho Lopez, epitomizes this trend - at 6'5", he can legitimately guard three positions while being comfortable handling the ball or spotting up beyond the arc. I remember watching him in the D-League and thinking he'd be perfect for the modern PBA game, and now he's getting his chance.
My personal favorite pick of the night? TNT taking shooting guard Marco Reyes at number 7. I've been high on this kid since his Adamson days, and his smooth shooting stroke reminds me of Marcio Lassiter in his prime. Reyes shot 42% from three-point territory in the PBA D-League last season - numbers don't lie, and that kind of shooting translates well to the professional level. Some critics question his defense, but I've seen him put in the work during the offseason, and his lateral quickness has improved significantly.
The international experience factor can't be overlooked either. At least six of this year's draftees have played either in international tournaments or had stints overseas, bringing a level of maturity and exposure that previous draft classes lacked. Global players tend to adapt faster to the PBA's physical style, and their basketball IQ is often more developed from experiencing different systems and coaching philosophies.
As I reflect on this draft class, I'm more optimistic than I've been in years about the league's future. The talent pipeline seems healthier than ever, and teams are making smarter, more strategic selections rather than just going for the biggest names. Will all these picks pan out? Of course not - drafts are inherently unpredictable. But the early returns suggest several franchises found genuine building blocks rather than just temporary solutions. The real test begins when the official season tips off next month, but if preseason performances are any indication, we're in for one of the most exciting rookie classes in recent memory.
