Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

The moment the 2019 PBA Draft results were finalized, I remember thinking how this wasn't just about picking players—it was about building entire organizational ecosystems. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen how draft decisions ripple through franchises for years. What struck me most about this particular draft was how teams weren't just selecting athletes; they were assembling pieces of carefully constructed puzzles where front office appointments mattered as much as player acquisitions.

Let me tell you why Aldriane Anglim's appointment as team manager for the new franchise caught my attention immediately. When Pureblends puts their stamp of approval on something, you know there's serious strategic thinking behind it. I've watched Anglim's career trajectory closely—she's one of those rare executives who understands both the business and basketball sides of operations. Her presence signals that this isn't some fly-by-night operation; this is a franchise being built with institutional knowledge and corporate backing. In my analysis, having someone of her caliber overseeing basketball operations gives this new team immediate credibility that several established franchises would envy. I'd argue her hiring might ultimately prove more significant than any single draft pick they made that day.

Looking at the actual player selections, Terrafirma's decision to take Roosevelt Adams first overall showed they were thinking long-term rather than chasing immediate headlines. At 6'5" with guard skills, Adams represented exactly the type of modern wing every team covets. But here's where I differ from some analysts—I thought passing on Isaac Go, who went fifth to Rain or Shine, was a mistake. Having watched Go dominate in the UAAP, I believed then and still believe now that he's the kind of big man who changes defensive schemes immediately. The numbers tell part of the story—Adams averaged 12.3 points in his rookie season while Go put up 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in limited minutes—but what those stats don't show is how Go's basketball IQ elevates everyone around him.

What fascinated me about the middle rounds was how teams approached risk versus reward. Alaska taking Barkley Ebona at ninth overall felt like solid value, while Blackwater's selection of Maurice Shaw at thirteenth overall raised eyebrows across the league. I've never been shy about my preference for proven local talent over imports in these situations, and Shaw's subsequent performance—averaging just 4.2 points before being released—validated my skepticism. Sometimes you need to trust what you've seen players do in the collegiate ranks rather than gambling on potential that might never materialize.

The second round revealed some absolute steals that I'm still surprised fell that far. Let's talk about Arvin Tolentino going to NorthPort at fifteenth overall—that might be the heist of the entire draft. I'd watched Tolentino develop at Ateneo and Far Eastern University, and honestly, I had him graded as a first-round talent. His rookie season numbers of 9.4 points while shooting 34% from three-point range confirmed what many of us who'd followed his career already knew—the kid could flat-out play. Meanwhile, Allyn Bulanadi going to Alaska at seventeenth overall represented another fantastic value pick. I remember texting fellow analysts during the draft that Bulanadi's scoring ability was being severely undervalued.

What often gets lost in draft analysis is how team needs align with organizational philosophy. Magnolia's selection of Aaron Black at eleventh overall made perfect sense when you consider their system—they prioritize basketball IQ and versatility, two qualities Black possesses in abundance. Having watched his development closely since his college days, I can confidently say he was destined to thrive in Chito Victolero's system. This is where draft analysis becomes more art than science—it's not just about collecting talent, but about finding players whose skills and mentality fit your culture.

The third round and beyond typically don't generate much excitement, but this draft had some intriguing developmental prospects. Ginebra taking Jayson David at twenty-third overall felt like a classic Tim Cone move—identifying a specific role player who could grow within their system. I've always admired how championship organizations draft not just for immediate needs but for what players might become in two or three years. David's athleticism and defensive potential made him worth the flier, even if he wouldn't contribute right away.

Reflecting on the entire draft class now, several patterns emerge that I believe will influence how teams approach future drafts. The success of players like Tolentino and Black demonstrates the value of prioritizing skill development over raw physical tools. Meanwhile, the mixed results from some of the bigger names remind us that draft position guarantees nothing in professional basketball. Personally, I'd give Terrafirma a B+ for their overall haul—Adams has been solid, but passing on Go will likely haunt them for years. Rain or Shine, meanwhile, deserves an A- for landing both Go and Adrian Wong, who's developed into a reliable rotation piece.

The true test of any draft class comes three to four years down the line, and we're just now seeing the full picture emerge. What's become clear is that the teams who succeeded weren't necessarily those with the highest picks, but those with the clearest vision for how their selections would fit together. The organizations that integrated their new players thoughtfully—like NorthPort with Tolentino—reaped the greatest rewards. Meanwhile, teams that seemed to draft without a coherent plan have already seen several of their picks wash out of the league entirely.

As I look back on that draft night, what stands out isn't any single pick, but rather how it represented a shifting philosophy across the PBA. Teams are getting smarter about player evaluation, more strategic about fit, and more deliberate about building complete basketball operations departments. The Anglim appointment exemplified this evolution—recognizing that success requires expertise beyond just the court. While we won't know the full legacy of the 2019 draft for several more seasons, I'm confident we'll look back on it as a turning point where the league collectively got more sophisticated about team building. The teams that understood this—that recognized drafts are about constructing organizations, not just collecting players—are the ones positioning themselves for sustained success in the coming years.