Looking Back at the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft: Top Picks and Career Highlights
I still remember the excitement buzzing through the PLDT office conference room in Makati City back in 2007. Team manager Jojo Lastimosa and PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas sat beside Mr. Pangilinan and the rest of our team, all eyes glued to the draft proceedings. The air was thick with anticipation - we knew this draft class had the potential to reshape franchises. Looking back now, seventeen years later, I can confidently say the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft delivered some of the most memorable careers in recent basketball history. What fascinates me about evaluating drafts isn't just identifying who became stars, but understanding why certain players succeeded while others faded into obscurity.
That draft day, all conversations centered around Joe Devance going first overall to Welcoat (now Rain or Shine). Standing at 6'7" with guard skills rarely seen in players his size, Devance represented the modern Filipino big man prototype. I recall Ricky Vargas leaning over during the selection and whispering how Devance's versatility could revolutionize how PBA teams built their rosters. And honestly, he wasn't wrong - Devance would go on to win nine championships across three different franchises, a testament to his adaptability and skill set. His career scoring average of around 12.8 points per game doesn't jump off the page, but his impact transcended statistics. He mastered playing multiple positions and became the ultimate glue guy on championship teams. What impressed me most was how he evolved his game as he aged, developing his outside shot when the league shifted toward perimeter-oriented basketball.
The second pick brought us another fascinating career arc - Samigue Eman selected by Alaska. At 6'9" with a massive wingspan, Eman projected as the defensive anchor who could dominate the paint for years. I remember Jojo Lastimosa discussing how Eman's physical tools were simply too enticing to pass up. While he never became the superstar some projected, Eman carved out a respectable 12-year career as a reliable rotation big man. His career numbers - about 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game - tell only part of the story. What statistics don't capture are the countless screens set, altered shots, and the professional approach he brought every practice. Sometimes I wonder if we overvalue athletic measurements during draft evaluations - Eman had all the physical tools but never developed the offensive polish to become a dominant force.
Then came the steal of the draft at number three - Ryan Reyes to Santa Lucia. This pick perfectly illustrates why combining analytics with old-school scouting matters. Reyes wasn't the most physically imposing guard at 6'2", but his defensive intensity and basketball IQ jumped off the tape. I've always had a soft spot for two-way players, and Reyes embodied that mentality. He immediately made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year honors and eventually securing seven championships. His career averages of 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists only hint at his value - it was his perimeter defense that truly separated him. I still believe Reyes deserves more recognition when discussing the best defensive guards of his era.
What made the 2007 draft particularly special was its depth beyond the top selections. Later picks like Jayson Castro (fourth), Doug Kramer (fifth), and JC Intal (seventh) all developed into impactful players. Castro's selection deserves special mention - watching him evolve from a raw athletic guard into arguably the best point guard of his generation has been one of my favorite basketball developments. His career trajectory reminds me why player development programs are just as crucial as draft selection. Castro averaged approximately 14.2 points and 4.3 assists throughout his career, but his clutch performances in international competitions cemented his legacy.
The mid-first round produced solid rotation players like Chico Lanete (eighth) and Mark Borboran (ninth), while second-round gems like Bonbon Custodio proved valuable contributors. What strikes me reviewing this draft class is how many players enjoyed longevity - several remained in the league for over a decade, which speaks to both their talent and adaptability to the evolving PBA landscape.
Seventeen years later, the 2007 draft class leaves a complicated legacy. While it lacked the transcendent superstar that defines some draft classes, it produced an incredible number of quality professionals who shaped the league for over a decade. The viewing party at PLDT office that day witnessed the beginning of careers that would combine for what I estimate to be over 45 championship appearances collectively. If I have one regret about how teams approached this draft, it's that some franchises prioritized immediate fit over long-term potential - though in fairness, predicting player development remains more art than science.
The careers that emerged from that Sunday in Makati taught me that successful draft picks require equal parts scouting, development, and luck. Devance's versatility, Reyes' defense, Castro's evolution - these weren't just random outcomes but the result of proper nurturing and opportunity. As I reflect on that draft class today, I'm reminded why we love following prospects - because beneath the combine measurements and highlight tapes are human stories waiting to unfold, careers waiting to be built, and legends waiting to be born.