PBA Draft 2023 Results: Complete Pick-by-Pick Breakdown and Analysis

As I sit down to analyze the 2023 PBA Draft results, I can't help but reflect on how much this process reminds me of that reference about learning—it's one that has taught me a lot, and one where I believe I can still learn so much more. Every draft class brings new surprises, unexpected falls, and franchise-altering decisions that keep analysts like myself both humble and endlessly fascinated. This year's draft was particularly intriguing because it showcased not just raw talent, but also how teams are thinking differently about player development and long-term roster construction. The first overall pick went to Terrafirma, who selected Stephen Holt—a move that surprised exactly no one but still carries significant weight for a franchise desperate for direction. At 31 years old, Holt brings immediate maturity and a polished game that should translate to instant production. I've watched his development closely, and what stands out to me isn't just his athleticism but his basketball IQ—something that can't be taught but can certainly be nurtured through experience.

The second pick saw Blackwater selecting Christian David, a 6'7" forward out of Butler who represents the modern NBA-influenced game that's gradually permeating the PBA. His wing versatility and shooting potential make him an intriguing fit, though I'll admit I had my doubts about whether his game would translate immediately to the Philippine style of play. Then at number three, NorthPort made what I consider one of the smartest picks of the draft by taking Zavier Lucero. Having recovered from that devastating ACL injury he suffered in the UAAP finals, Lucero represents both risk and reward—but watching his rehabilitation progress and speaking with people close to him, I'm convinced his upside justifies the selection. The fourth pick brought another interesting decision as Rain or Shine selected Keith Datu, a big man with tremendous defensive potential. What fascinates me about Datu is how he embodies that continuous learning process—he's raw offensively but possesses physical tools that can't be taught.

As we moved into the middle of the first round, the selections became increasingly strategic rather than simply taking the best available talent. At pick five, Phoenix took Ken Tuffin, whose outside shooting should provide immediate spacing for their offense. Then at six, NLEX selected Richie Rodger, a pick that had me scratching my head initially given other available talents, though I respect their need for backcourt depth. The seventh selection saw Meralco taking Brandon Bates, a traditional big who fills their need for interior presence—practical if unspectacular. What struck me about this portion of the draft was how teams clearly prioritized specific roster needs over pure talent evaluation, a trend that's become more pronounced in recent years.

The later first round contained what I believe will be some of the biggest steals of this draft class. At pick eight, Magnolia selected Joseph Obasa, a legitimate 6'10" center who could develop into a defensive anchor. Then at nine, Barangay Ginebra took Ralph Cu, a guard who fits perfectly with Tim Cone's system. The tenth pick saw San Miguel selecting Kyt Jimenez, whose flashy style might need tempering but brings excitement that the league could use. At eleven, TNT took Henry Galinato, a physical forward who should complement their existing core nicely. And rounding out the first round at twelve, Converge selected Schonny Winston, who I'm particularly high on despite his falling this far—his scoring ability is undeniable, and I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes one of the top scorers from this class.

The second round contained several players who could outperform their draft position, which is always my favorite part of analyzing drafts. Terrafirma opened the round with James Laput at thirteen, followed by Blackwater selecting RJ Ramirez at fourteen. NorthPort then took John Bryan Sajonia at fifteen, Rain or Shine selected Sherwin Concepcion at sixteen, and Phoenix picked up Raffy Verano at seventeen. What I love about the second round is finding those diamonds in the rough—players who might not have the hype but possess specific skills that could thrive in the right system. NLEX took Patrick Maagdenberg at eighteen, Meralco selected Carlo De Chavez at nineteen, and Magnolia picked up David Murrell at twenty. The final picks of the second round saw Barangay Ginebra taking Lorenzo Navarro at twenty-one, San Miguel selecting Michael Phillips at twenty-two, TNT picking up John Lloyd Clemente at twenty-three, and Converge taking John Apacible at twenty-four.

Looking at this draft class as a whole, what stands out to me is the balance between immediate contributors and developmental prospects. Teams seemed to approach this draft with more nuanced strategies than in previous years, considering not just talent but how players fit specific systems and cultural needs. The emphasis on versatile wings and bigs with modern skills reflects how the PBA game continues to evolve, incorporating more spacing and positionless basketball concepts. From my perspective, the teams that did best were those who balanced need with value—not reaching for fit when superior talent was available, but also not collecting talent that didn't address roster construction. This draft process, much like that reference about continuous learning, has taught me to look beyond the obvious metrics and consider how intangible factors like work ethic and adaptability might determine which prospects succeed. I'm already looking forward to tracking these players' development and seeing how my assessments hold up—because in basketball, as in analysis, there's always more to learn.