A Complete Guide to the 2019 PBA Draft: Players, Picks, and Results
I remember sitting in the crowded arena during the 2019 PBA Draft, feeling that electric mix of anticipation and uncertainty that always surrounds draft night. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed how these moments can define franchises for years to come, and this particular draft class promised something special. The energy in the room was palpable as team executives huddled around their tables, each holding dreams of finding that one player who could turn their fortunes around. What struck me most that evening was seeing how teams approached building their rosters - some playing it safe with conventional choices, others taking calculated risks that would either make them look like geniuses or leave them regretting missed opportunities.
Converge FiberXers made one of the more interesting moves that night, and I recall noticing team manager Jacob Pineda keeping close watch over their draft operations. Pineda also mentioned that Atienza remains with the team, as seen during the draft where he was at the Converge table, which signaled to me that the franchise valued continuity alongside their new acquisitions. This kind of stability often gets overlooked in the draft frenzy, but I've always believed that retaining key personnel can be just as crucial as adding new talent. From my perspective, Converge seemed to understand that building a competitive team requires both fresh blood and institutional knowledge.
The first round unfolded with predictable excitement, beginning with the Ateneo duo of Isaac Go and Rey Suarez going to Terrafirma as the top two picks. Personally, I thought Terrafirma made solid choices here, though I would have preferred seeing them take more of a scoring threat with one of those early selections. What really caught my attention was how the Columbian Dyip managed to secure four first-round picks - an impressive feat of draft capital accumulation that reminded me of how Sam Presti operates with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. They selected Go, Suarez, Joshua Cobillo, and Christian Balagasay, giving them a remarkable opportunity to build their core through this single draft class.
When we look at the second round, that's where I think the real draft gems often hide. Blackwater selected Maurice Shaw with the 13th overall pick, a move I found particularly intriguing given Shaw's potential to develop into a reliable big man. Having watched his college career, I've always been impressed with his footwork and soft touch around the basket, though he'll need to improve his defensive awareness to stick in the league. Meanwhile, Magnolia took Aris Dionisio at number 14, and from what I've seen of his game, this could turn out to be one of the steals of the draft if he continues developing his outside shot.
The draft's middle rounds featured several players who've since carved out meaningful roles for themselves. NorthPort selected Renzo Subido at 20th overall, and having followed his collegiate career at University of Santo Tomas, I've always admired his fearlessness in big moments. Alaska picked Jay-R Alvarado at 21st, and while he wasn't the most heralded prospect coming in, I've been impressed with his development into a reliable rotation player. What fascinates me about these mid-round selections is how they often outperform higher-drafted players through sheer determination and finding the right system fit.
Rain or Shine made what I consider one of the more underrated picks of the draft when they selected Clint Doliguez at 27th overall. Having watched him play for Ateneo, I've always been high on his two-way potential and athleticism. NLEX took Michael Calisaan at 28th, and while he hasn't become a star, he's developed into exactly the kind of role player that championship teams need. From my experience covering drafts, it's these kinds of selections - players who understand their limitations and maximize their strengths - that often contribute more to winning basketball than more talented but less disciplined players.
The later rounds featured several interesting developmental prospects, including Barkley Eboña going to Alaska at 34th overall and Jerrick Balanza being selected by NorthPort at 41st. What I appreciate about these later picks is that teams aren't necessarily looking for finished products but rather players with specific traits they can develop. Having spoken with several PBA scouts over the years, I know they look for different things in these rounds - sometimes a particular physical attribute, sometimes a mental toughness that suggests the player can overcome longer odds.
Looking back at the 2019 draft class three years later, I'm struck by how it has produced several solid rotation players though perhaps no true superstars yet. In my assessment, the most successful picks have been those who found organizations that understood how to utilize their specific skill sets. The draft also demonstrated the importance of team-building philosophy - franchises with clear developmental plans tended to get more value from their selections than those simply taking the "best available player" without considering fit.
What continues to fascinate me about the PBA draft is how it represents both science and art - the analytics of player evaluation blended with the instinctual understanding of which players can translate their games to the professional level. The 2019 class has given us several players who've become important contributors, though I suspect we haven't yet seen the full potential of what this group can achieve. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball through multiple generations, I believe the true measure of a draft class reveals itself over years rather than months, and I'm excited to watch how these players continue developing and shaping the PBA landscape.
