In the world of Philippine basketball, the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft marked a significant event, leaving basketball enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next season of action-packed games. This year’s draft, held at Market! Market! in Taguig on Sunday, September 17, saw a record-breaking number of applicants, underlining the enduring popularity of the sport in the Philippines.
With a total of 124 players up for grabs, the 12 PBA teams embarked on a mission to bolster their rosters and secure the most promising talents available. As the draft unfolded, excitement filled the air as each team made their selections. Here’s a rundown of the draft picks from the first round to the 12th, where all teams eventually passed on their selections:
First Round Picks:
1. Stephen Holt – Terrafirma
2. Christian David – Blackwater
3. Luis Villegas – Rain or Shine
4. Keith Datu – Rain or Shine
5. Zavier Lucero – NorthPort
6. Kenneth Tuffin – Phoenix
7. Richard Rodger- NLEX
8. Brandon Bates – Meralco
9. Schonny Winston – Converge
10. BJ Andrade – Converge
11. Cade Flores – NorthPort
12. Taylor James Miller – Terrafirma
The first round set the stage for the rest of the draft, with teams making strategic choices to address their immediate needs and build a solid foundation for their future.
Second Round Picks:
13. Kemark Cariño – Terrafirma
14. Bryan Santos – Converge
15. Henry Galinato – Rain or Shine
16. Raffy Verano – Phoenix
17. Ricci Rivero – Phoenix
18. Enoch Valdez – NLEX
19. John Louisse delos Santos – Converge
20. James Kwukuteye – Blackwater
21. JM Nermal – NLEX
22. Louie Sangalang – Terrafirma
23. Ralph Cu – Barangay Ginebra
24. Adrian Nocum – Rain or Shine
The second round saw teams continuing to build their rosters with promising players.
Third Round Picks:
25. JB Bahio – Terrafirma
26. Clifford Jopia – Blackwater
27. Sherwin Concepcion – Rain or Shine
28. Matthew Daves – Phoenix
29. Brent Paraiso – Northport
30. Dominick Fajardo – NLEX
31. Inand Val Fornilos – Converge
32. Jolo Mendoza – Meralco
33. Pass – TNT
34. Patrick Maagdenberg – Magnolia
35. Kim Aurin – Barangay Ginebra
36. John Toy Mallillin – San Miguel Beer
With each round, teams were tasked with making crucial decisions that could shape their future success.
Fourth Round Picks:
37. Tommy Olivario – Terrafirma
38. Archie Concepcion – Blackwater
39. JC Cullar – Rain or Shine
40. John Lloyd Clemente – Phoenix
41. Fran Yu – Northport
42. Francis Guissani – NLEX
43. King Caralipio – Converge
44. Zach Huang – Meralco
45. Pass – TNT
46. Rey Anthony Peralta – Magnolia
47. Franz Abuda – Barangay Ginebra
48. Jayson Apolonio – San Miguel Beer
The fourth round was a testament to the depth of talent in this year’s draft class.
Fifth Round Picks:
49. Damie Cuntapay – Terrafirma
50. Dariel Bayla – Blackwater
51. Larry Arpia Jr. – Rain or Shine
52. Daniel Atienza – Phoenix
53. John Amores – Northport
54. Lorenzo Navarro – NLEX
55. Rhinwil Yambing – Converge
56. Jessie Sumoda Jr. – Meralco
57. Pass – TNT
58. Warren Bonifacio – Magnolia
59. Brandrey Bienes – Barangay Ginebra
60. Ichie Altamirano – San Miguel Beer
The fifth round saw a mix of selected players and teams opting to pass on their selections.
Sixth Round Picks:
61. Kenneth Villapando – Terrafirma
62. Pass – Blackwater
63. Pass – Rain or Shine
64. Joe Gomez de Liaño – Phoenix
65. Jan Sobrevega – Northport
66. Pass – NLEX
67. Kamron Vigan-Fleming – Converge
68. Shean Jackson – Meralco
69. Pass- TNT
70. Christian Buñag – Magnolia
71. Pass – Barangay Ginebra
72. John Gob – San Miguel Beer
The sixth round brought more suspense as some teams chose to pass on their picks.
Seventh Round Picks:
73. Jeric Pido – Terrafirma
74. Pass – Blackwater
75. Pass – Rain or Shine
76. Theo Flores – Phoenix
77. Ian Herrera – Northport
78. Pass – NLEX
79. Raymond Vinuya – Converge
80. Pass – Meralco
81. Pass – TNT
82. Pass – Magnolia
83. Pass – Barangay Ginebra
84. Jayvee dela Cruz – San Miguel Beer
In the seventh round, teams continued to make their selections or opted to pass.
Eighth Round Picks:
85. Enrique Caunan – Terrafirma
86. Pass – Blackwater
87. Pass – Rain or Shine
88. Pass – Phoenix
89. Junel Bauzon – Northport
90. Pass – NLEX
91. Jeffrey Garcia – Converge
92. Pass – Meralco
93. Pass – TNT
94. Pass – Magnolia
95. Pass – Barangay Ginebra
96. Jamel Ramos – San Miguel Beer
As the draft moved into the eighth round, some teams opted to pass on their picks.
Ninth Round Picks:
97. Pass – Terrafirma
98. Pass – Blackwater
99. Pass – Rain or Shine
100. Pass – Phoenix
101. Joemari Lacastesantos – Northport
102. Pass – NLEX
103. Andree Flores – Converge
104. Pass – Meralco
105. Pass – TNT
106. Pass – Magnolia
107. Pass – Barangay Ginebra
108. Kyt Jimenez – San Miguel Beer
The ninth round saw more teams passing on their selections.
Tenth Round Picks:
109. Pass – Terrafirma
110. Pass – Blackwater
111. Pass – Rain or Shine
112. Pass – Phoenix
113. Nikko Paranada – Northport
114. Pass – NLEX
115. Jonathan del Rosario – Converge
116. Pass – Meralco
117. Pass – TNT
118. Pass – Magnolia
119. Pass – Barangay Ginebra
120. Pass – San Miguel Beer
As the draft entered the tenth round, teams continued to pass on their selections.
Eleventh Round Picks:
121. Pass – Terrafirma
122. Pass – Blackwater
123. Pass – Rain or Shine
124. Pass – Phoenix
125. Regie Boy Basibas – Northport
126. Pass – NLEX
127. Pass – Converge
128. Pass – Meralco
129. Pass – TNT
130. Pass – Magnolia
131. Pass – Barangay Ginebra
132. Pass – San Miguel Beer
In the twelfth round, all teams decided to pass on their selections, marking the culmination of the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
The draft was not only a showcase of talent but also a reminder of the fierce competition and passion that basketball brings to the Philippines. As these young hopefuls transition into the professional ranks, fans eagerly await the upcoming PBA season to witness the impact these rookies will make on the court. With 79 players getting their coveted call-up and 45 aspirants becoming unrestricted free agents, the future of Philippine basketball looks promising.