2025-11-15 16:01
Looking Back at the Complete 2018 PBA Draft List and Key Picks
Looking back at the 2018 PBA Draft, I can't help but marvel at how this particular class has shaped the landscape of Philippine basketball over the past few years. As someone who's followed the league closely since the early 2000s, I've developed a keen eye for spotting talent that translates well to the professional level, and the 2018 batch certainly didn't disappoint. That draft night at Robinson's Place Manila was electric with anticipation, with teams positioning themselves for what many considered one of the deeper talent pools in recent memory.
The complete draft list tells a fascinating story of hits, misses, and everything in between. CJ Perez going first overall to Columbian Dyip was about as safe a pick as you could make - the guy had just dominated the PBA D-League and everyone knew his explosive scoring would translate immediately. What surprised me was how quickly he adapted, winning Rookie of the Year and eventually becoming a cornerstone for the franchise. Then you had Bobby Ray Parks Jr. going second to Blackwater, though his journey would take some interesting turns before he truly found his footing in the league. What made this draft particularly compelling was the depth beyond the obvious first-round talents - players like Javee Mocon, who slipped to the sixth pick but immediately contributed meaningful minutes for Rain or Shine.
I remember watching the draft unfold and thinking how some teams were playing the long game while others were clearly in win-now mode. Take the case of Abu Tratter going to Alaska at number eight - he wasn't the flashiest pick, but he filled a specific need for a team looking to bolster their frontcourt. Meanwhile, teams like Phoenix were thinking about future assets, selecting players who might need development but had higher ceilings. This strategic diversity is what makes the PBA Draft so fascinating year after year - there's no single formula for success, and sometimes the best picks aren't the obvious ones.
The second round produced some genuine steals that I believe outperformed their draft positions. Paul Desiderio, Mr. "Atin To" from UP, went 14th overall to Blackwater and immediately brought that infectious energy and clutch gene that made him a college star. Then there's Bong Quinto going to Meralco at 18th - I've always been high on players with high basketball IQ, and Quinto has proven to be one of the smarter two-way players in this class. These mid-to-late round successes highlight how crucial scouting and development are in the PBA landscape. It's not just about getting the top picks right - championship teams are often built on finding value where others don't.
What stands out to me about this draft class is how many players have already become integral parts of their teams' cores. Unlike some previous years where only the top two or three picks made immediate impacts, the 2018 group saw contributions up and down the board. From Perez becoming an All-Star to role players like Trevis Jackson and Jorey Napoles carving out meaningful careers, this class has depth that continues to serve the league well. I've always believed that the true measure of a draft class isn't just the star power at the top, but how many players stick in the league and contribute over time.
The development trajectories have been fascinating to track. Some players like Perez immediately lived up to the hype, while others took the more traditional route of gradual improvement. Then there were the pleasant surprises - players who exceeded expectations and became more than anyone projected on draft night. This variability is what makes basketball so compelling - you can analyze prospects all you want, but until they're actually playing against PBA competition, you never truly know how they'll adapt.
Reflecting on the broader context, the 2018 draft occurred during an interesting transitional period for the PBA. The league was evolving stylistically, with more emphasis on pace and spacing, and this draft class reflected those changes. Teams were prioritizing versatile wings and bigs who could switch defensively - you can see that philosophy reflected in several picks throughout the evening. Having covered multiple draft classes, I'd argue this one has aged particularly well in terms of how the players fit the modern PBA game.
The draft's impact extends beyond just the players selected - it reshaped team trajectories in ways we're still seeing today. Franchises that nailed their picks accelerated their rebuilding processes, while others missed opportunities to add foundational pieces. What's particularly interesting is how some of the draft night trades involving future picks have created ripple effects that influenced subsequent drafts. This interconnectedness is something casual fans often miss - each draft doesn't exist in isolation but rather as part of an ongoing strategic chess match between front offices.
Looking at the complete list now, with the benefit of hindsight, I'm struck by how many of these players have already carved out significant roles in the league. The 2018 class has produced multiple All-Stars, key rotation players, and even some franchise cornerstones. While not every pick worked out - and let's be honest, every draft has its misses - the hit rate for this class feels higher than average. From my perspective, what makes this draft memorable isn't just the top-tier talent, but the remarkable depth that has provided the league with quality players across multiple teams and positions.
The legacy of the 2018 PBA Draft continues to unfold with each passing season. Players from this class are entering their prime years, and we're seeing them take on larger leadership roles within their teams. What started as hopeful selections on draft night has evolved into tangible on-court production that has genuinely elevated the quality of play across the league. As someone who's watched these players develop from prospects to professionals, it's been one of the more rewarding draft classes to follow in recent memory. The complete list tells a story of potential realized, lessons learned, and careers still in the making - and honestly, that's what makes covering the PBA so endlessly fascinating.
