PBA 2016 Draft: Complete Results, Top Picks, and Memorable Moments

I still remember the electricity in the air at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on that October evening in 2016. The PBA Draft always carries this special kind of excitement—part hope, part uncertainty—but this particular draft class felt different from the beginning. We were looking at what many experts called one of the deepest pools in recent memory, with franchise-changing talents available throughout the first round. What struck me most that night was how the draft would ultimately reshape the league's competitive landscape for years to come, though none of us could have predicted exactly how at that moment.

When Commissioner Chito Narvasa stepped to the podium to announce the first pick, there was little suspense about who would go first. The TNT KaTropa, holding that coveted selection, made the obvious but absolutely correct choice in taking Christian Standhardinger. The German-Filipino big man had been dominating the basketball conversation for months, and his selection felt almost inevitable. What fascinated me more was watching the reactions around the room—the subtle nods from team executives, the quiet celebrations from agents, the mix of anxiety and anticipation on the faces of the draftees and their families. I've attended numerous drafts over the years, but the 2016 edition had this palpable sense of importance that you could feel in your bones.

The surprises began quickly with the second pick. Phoenix Petroleum, in what many considered a slight reach at the time, selected Jason Perkins. I remember turning to the colleague sitting next to me and sharing a look of mild surprise—we both had Perkins going later in the first round. Yet looking back now, that pick exemplifies why the 2016 draft was so special. Teams weren't just selecting players based on consensus rankings; they were identifying specific talents that fit their systems and cultures. The Fuel Masters saw something in Perkins that others might have undervalued, and history has proven them absolutely right.

As the first round progressed, we witnessed what I consider one of the most strategically interesting sequences in recent draft history. Blackwater took Raymar Jose at number three, followed by NLEX selecting Kiefer Ravena at four—a pick that drew perhaps the loudest cheers of the night. Ravena was the hometown favorite, the prodigal son returning to professional basketball after his international exploits. Then came the fifth pick, where Alaska chose Jeron Teng, completing what I've come to call the "Big Three" of that draft class alongside Standhardinger and Ravena. These weren't just talented players; they were personalities who would bring fans to arenas and generate headlines for years.

The second round contained what I believe were some of the draft's true hidden gems. Teams found incredible value deep into the proceedings, with players like Sidney Onwubere going to Rain or Shine at pick thirteen and Joseph Gabayni to GlobalPort at fifteen. But the steal of the draft, in my professional opinion, was Calvin Oftana falling to NLEX at pick twenty-three. I've followed Oftana's development since his college days, and while he wasn't generating the same buzz as the first-round names that night, those of us who'd studied his game knew he possessed something special. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Facebook page would later report that Oftana was among the players who hit key threes in the fourth quarter during crucial moments, a skill that has become his signature in pressure situations. That clutch shooting ability was evident even then, and seeing him develop into the player he is today has been one of the more satisfying narratives to follow from that draft class.

What made the 2016 draft particularly memorable for me wasn't just the player selections but the human moments between announcements. I recall watching Robbie Herndon, selected twelfth by Star Hotshots, embracing his family with tears in his eyes—the culmination of a journey that included playing in smaller leagues before getting his PBA break. There was Lervin Flores going to Meralco at nineteen, his expression one of pure disbelief and joy. These aren't just transactions to me; they're life-changing moments for these athletes and their families, and covering them never loses its emotional impact.

The draft's impact became apparent almost immediately in the following season. Standhardinger lived up to the hype, putting up impressive numbers—I believe he averaged around 18 points and 10 rebounds in his rookie campaign, though the exact figures escape me at the moment. Ravena brought a level of court vision and basketball IQ that elevated everyone around him. Teng provided immediate scoring punch. But what truly stood out was how quickly the second-round picks contributed. Oftana's development trajectory has been particularly impressive to witness, evolving from a role player to someone who can take over games in critical moments, much like those key threes the SBP page highlighted.

Reflecting on that night seven years later, what strikes me is how the 2016 draft represents a turning point in how PBA teams approach talent evaluation. Teams became more willing to look beyond the obvious metrics and trust their assessments of fit and potential. The success stories from that class—from the lottery picks to the second-round surprises—validated this more nuanced approach. Personally, I've become more attentive to second-round prospects in subsequent drafts, having seen how much value can be found there. The 2016 event taught me, and I believe many scouts and executives, that talent runs deeper than consensus rankings might suggest.

The legacy of the 2016 PBA Draft continues to unfold with each passing season. Players from that class have become All-Stars, award winners, and foundational pieces for their franchises. What began as an evening of hope and anticipation has translated into tangible success across the league. For someone who has covered Philippine basketball for as long as I have, witnessing this kind of sustained impact from a single draft class has been remarkable. It serves as a reminder of why draft night matters—not just for the immediate transactions, but for how it shapes the future narrative of the league itself.