I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft like it was yesterday. The air crackled with anticipation as teams prepared to select the next generation of Filipino basketball talent. Seven years later, it's fascinating to trace the divergent paths these players have taken—some becoming cornerstones of franchises, others fading into obscurity, and a few finding their stride in unexpected places. What makes this reflection particularly poignant is how these careers have unfolded against the backdrop of legendary PBA rivalries, like that classic 2009 Fiesta Conference where San Miguel defeated Ginebra 90-79 in their only Game 7 finals meeting. That historic clash between two iconic franchises serves as a reminder of what every rookie ultimately dreams of achieving: championship glory in those high-stakes moments.
The 2016 draft class was headlined by Mac Belo, who went second overall to Blackwater. At the time, I thought he was the surest bet to become a perennial All-Star. His UAAP pedigree with Far Eastern University was impeccable, and his modern skillset as a stretch four seemed perfectly suited for the evolving PBA game. While he's had respectable moments, including a stint with the Gilas national team, I can't help but feel he hasn't quite reached the ceiling many of us projected. His journey reminds me that transition from college star to PBA impact player is never guaranteed, no matter how promising the prospect looks on paper. Meanwhile, Carl Bryan Cruz, selected seventh by Alaska, has carved out a nice career as a reliable three-and-D specialist—exactly the kind of role player championship teams need when facing elimination games like that epic 2009 showdown between San Miguel and Ginebra.
What truly fascinates me about evaluating this draft class is how team situations dramatically altered career trajectories. Third pick Jio Jalalon fell to Star Hotshots (now Magnolia) and immediately found the perfect system for his pesky defensive style and playmaking. I've always believed Jalalon landed in the ideal spot—a structured system that maximized his strengths while masking his shooting limitations. His 4.8 assists per game in his sophomore season demonstrated how quickly he adapted to the PBA's pace. On the flip side, I can't help but wonder what might have been for Rashawn McCarthy, who went eighth to Blackwater. The talent was clearly there, but the constant franchise instability never gave him the platform to properly develop. He's since become a journeyman, bouncing between three teams in six seasons—a stark contrast to the stability enjoyed by some of his draft classmates.
The real steals of the draft emerged from the later rounds, something I've noticed happens more often than casual fans might expect. Sixth pick Matthew Wright wasn't even in the country during draft night, but he's arguably become the most impactful player from this class. His transformation into Phoenix's franchise player and Gilas mainstay exemplifies how international experience can accelerate development. Meanwhile, Roger Pogoy, selected fifth by TNT, has exceeded even the most optimistic projections. I've always been particularly high on Pogoy's two-way game—his ability to drop 20 points while guarding the opponent's best perimeter player makes him incredibly valuable in playoff scenarios reminiscent of that 2009 finals where every defensive possession mattered.
What stands out most in retrospect is how this draft produced several players who've already experienced those championship moments that define careers. Pogoy has won multiple titles with TNT, while Wright carried Phoenix to deep playoff runs. These are the players who could potentially feature in future classic Game 7s like that historic San Miguel-Ginebra confrontation. The Beermen's 2009 victory demonstrated how championship DNA gets built through these winner-take-all situations, and I see elements of that same mentality in several members of this draft class.
The international contingent from this draft deserves special mention. Wright's case is particularly interesting because he proved that non-traditional development paths could work in the PBA context. His years in the European circuit prepared him differently than the UAAP-to-PBA pipeline, giving him a maturity in his game that was immediately evident. I've always argued that the PBA should encourage more of these alternative development routes—the league benefits immensely from diverse basketball backgrounds and experiences.
Seven years later, the 2016 draft class presents a mixed but fascinating legacy. About 60% of the first-round picks remain in the league, which is actually a decent retention rate compared to some previous drafts. What's remarkable is how this group has contributed to shifting PBA playstyles—more emphasis on three-point shooting, positionless basketball, and switchable defenders. Players like Pogoy and Wright embody this evolution, and I'd argue they've pushed the league toward a more modern approach to the game.
As I look at today's PBA landscape, the fingerprints of the 2016 draft are everywhere. These players are now in their prime, either as franchise centerpieces or crucial role players. They've experienced their own playoff battles, though none quite reaching the historic magnitude of that 2009 Game 7 between the league's two most popular franchises. The way San Miguel executed under pressure in that winner-take-all scenario serves as the ultimate benchmark for what these 2016 draftees might still achieve. Personally, I'm most curious to see which of them will eventually create their own legacy in such career-defining moments. The class of 2016 may not have produced a transcendental superstar, but it gifted the PBA with several high-quality players who continue to shape the league's competitive balance and style of play.
