I still remember sitting in the press box during the 2015 PBA Draft, feeling that electric atmosphere at Robinson's Place Manila. The air was thick with anticipation - teams were about to make franchise-altering decisions, and young athletes' dreams hung in the balance. Looking back nearly a decade later, what fascinates me most isn't just who went where, but how these careers have unfolded in ways both predictable and utterly surprising.
That draft class produced some remarkable talents, though I've always felt Troy Rosario going second overall to TNT KaTropa was the steal of the night. The 6'7" forward brought this unique combination of size and perimeter skills that's still rare in Philippine basketball today. His immediate impact helped TNT remain competitive throughout his tenure there, and watching him develop into a reliable stretch four has been one of the more satisfying career arcs to follow. What many forget is how Moala Tautuaa went first overall to TNT as well - though through a trade with Blackwater - making this perhaps the strongest top-two punch in recent draft memory.
The Phoenix Fuelmasters made what I consider one of the most strategic moves by selecting Matthew Wright in the 2016 special draft after he'd gone undrafted in 2015. In six seasons with the Fuelmasters, the former Gilas Pilipinas player averaged 17.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. Those numbers don't even capture his clutch performances - I've lost count of how many games he decided with his lethal three-point shooting. His consistency from beyond the arc, shooting around 38% throughout his PBA career, made him one of the most feared offensive weapons in the league.
What often gets overlooked in draft analysis is how team fit determines success as much as raw talent. Take Chris Newsome going fourth to Meralco - that marriage of player and system created an environment where he could flourish into the two-way star he is today. Meanwhile, I can't help but wonder what might have been if some players had landed in different situations. Norbert Torres, selected sixth by Rain or Shine, showed flashes of brilliance but never quite found the consistent role his skills deserved.
The mid-first round produced its usual mix of hits and misses. I've always been higher on Simon Enciso than most analysts - his selection at twelfth by Blackwater felt like tremendous value, and his development into a reliable point guard has justified that belief. Meanwhile, Bradwyn Guinto going thirteenth to NLEX demonstrated how teams were still valuing traditional big men, though the league was already shifting toward more versatile frontcourt players.
Seven years later, the 2015 draft class has fundamentally shaped the PBA landscape in ways we're still witnessing. These players have become All-Stars, national team members, and franchise cornerstones. What strikes me reviewing their careers is how draft success isn't just about selecting the most talented player, but identifying who fits your culture and system. The best picks weren't necessarily the highest selections, but the ones who found organizations that understood how to maximize their unique abilities. As we look toward future drafts, the lessons from 2015 remain relevant - sometimes the right player in the right situation can transform both their career and their team's trajectory.
