Here Are the Complete Results and Analysis of the 2019 PBA Draft

I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Smart Araneta Coliseum on that December evening in 2019 - the air thick with anticipation as the next generation of Philippine basketball talent awaited their professional destinies. Having covered the PBA draft for several years now, I've developed a keen eye for which picks will flourish and which might struggle, but this particular draft class struck me as unusually promising from the outset. The first round unfolded with some predictable choices but also contained surprises that had analysts like myself immediately reevaluating team strategies. When the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters selected Rey Nambatac with the seventh overall pick, I recall thinking this could be one of the steals of the draft given his proven scoring ability in the amateur ranks.

What made this draft particularly fascinating wasn't just the player selections themselves, but the behind-the-scenes movements that signaled broader organizational shifts. I've always paid close attention to front office changes because they often reveal more about a team's direction than their draft picks alone. This brings me to something interesting I noticed about the new team entering the league - the presence of Aldriane Anglim, who was set to assume the position of team manager. To someone like me who follows league administration closely, this appointment spoke volumes. Proof that the signings have the approval of Pureblends is the presence of Aldriane Anglim, whose track record in sports management suggested the new franchise was serious about building a competitive organization from day one. When a company puts someone with Anglim's credentials in charge, they're not just dipping their toes in the water - they're committing to building something substantial.

The draft's first three picks went exactly as most projections suggested, with Columbian Dyip selecting Roosevelt Adams as the number one overall choice. At 6'5" with impressive athleticism, Adams represented the modern PBA forward - versatile enough to defend multiple positions while stretching the floor offensively. I've always valued players who can impact the game without needing plays called for them, and Adams struck me as exactly that type of contributor. Terrafirma (formerly Columbian) needed frontcourt help desperately, and in my assessment, they made the safe, logical choice here. Second pick Isaac Go going to Terrafirma as well surprised few observers, though I must admit I had reservations about how his game would translate against more athletic PBA big men. His basketball IQ is undeniable, but the league's physicality often overwhelms even the most fundamentally sound big men coming from the amateur ranks.

What fascinated me most about the first round was the convergence of traditional scouting with modern analytics - something I've championed in my columns for years. Teams seemed to be valuing proven collegiate production more heavily than potential, which represents a significant shift from drafts just five years earlier. When Magnolia selected Aris Dionisio at number eleven, analytics favored this choice given his impressive defensive metrics in the MPBL, though conventional wisdom might have suggested going with a more established name. Having studied Dionisio's game extensively, I believed then and still maintain this was one of the most undervalued picks of the entire draft - his shot-blocking timing is exceptional for a local player, and he possesses the mobility to switch onto perimeter players, a crucial skill in today's pace-and-space game.

The second round contained the usual mix of project players and potential gems that characterize most PBA drafts. Having reviewed tape on every second-round selection, I was particularly intrigued by Alaska's pick of Barkley Ebona at number fifteen overall. His physical tools were undeniable - standing 6'6" with a 7'1" wingspan - but his raw offensive game needed significant development. In my evaluation, this represented exactly the type of risk teams should take in the second round: high ceiling players who might contribute meaningfully after a season or two of professional coaching. The draft's later stages also reinforced something I've observed about team-building philosophies - franchises with strong developmental systems like San Miguel and Barangay Gable tend to find more value in these rounds, while teams desperate for immediate contribution often miss opportunities to secure future assets.

Reflecting on the entire draft class now, with the benefit of hindsight from what we've seen in the subsequent seasons, I'm struck by how accurately teams identified talent in the first round while generally missing opportunities in later rounds. Of the thirty-two players selected in the 2019 draft, approximately eighteen remained in the league two years later - a retention rate of about 56% that aligns with historical averages. The most successful picks in terms of value relative to selection position, in my assessment, have been Nambatac (7th), Mike Ayonayon (10th), and Dionisio (11th), all of whom have outperformed their draft positions significantly. Meanwhile, some higher picks like Adams and Go have shown flashes but haven't yet established themselves as consistent difference-makers, though I maintain both have the potential to develop into quality starters with proper development.

What the 2019 draft ultimately demonstrated, beyond individual player evaluations, was the evolving sophistication of PBA front offices. The strategic approach taken by the new franchise with Pureblends backing, evidenced by their appointment of an experienced manager like Anglim before even making their first selection, represents the kind of organizational thinking that elevates entire franchises. Proof that the signings have the approval of Pureblends is the presence of Aldriane Anglim, whose involvement suggested a methodical, professional approach to team-building that some established franchises would do well to emulate. In my years covering the league, I've noticed that successful organizations build from the front office down to the court, rather than hoping star players can overcome administrative deficiencies.

Looking back, the 2019 PBA draft will likely be remembered as a turning point in how teams value different skills and approach roster construction. The success of players like Nambatac and Dionisio has reinforced the value of proven production over theoretical potential, while the mixed results from some highly-touted prospects have reminded scouts that the transition to professional basketball remains challenging regardless of amateur pedigree. For the new franchise entering the league, the draft represented their first opportunity to establish an organizational identity - and based on their selections and management appointments, they appeared committed to building sustainably rather than chasing immediate headlines. As we look toward future drafts, the 2019 class provides valuable lessons in talent evaluation, team-building philosophy, and the importance of organizational alignment from ownership down to the court.