I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Philippine basketball community during that 2020 PBA Draft. Having followed the league for over a decade, I can confidently say this was one of the most anticipated drafts in recent memory, coming at a time when Filipino basketball was undergoing significant transitions. The draft wasn't just about new talent entering the professional ranks—it reflected broader shifts happening across Philippine basketball, including coaching movements that would later impact other leagues like the PVL.
The first round selections particularly stood out to me as game-changers. Barangay Ginebra made what I consider the smartest move of the draft by picking Roosevelt Adams as the first overall selection. At 6'5" with incredible wingspan and shooting touch, Adams represented exactly the kind of modern forward the league needed. Terrafirma's selection of James Laput at number five surprised many analysts, but I actually liked the gamble—the 6'10" center brought much-needed height to a team that had struggled with interior presence. What made this draft special wasn't just the top picks though—it was the depth. Players like Mikey Williams, who went fourth to TNT, and Calvin Oftana, selected third by NLEX, proved that teams could find starters throughout the first round.
Looking back at the second round and later picks, I'm struck by how many teams found genuine value. Alaska picking Barkley Ebona at 13th overall was a steal in my opinion—the FEU product brought toughness and rebounding that immediately translated to the pro game. The Blackwater selection of Joshua Torralba at 18th demonstrated how deep scouting could uncover gems. These mid-to-late round successes highlighted for me the improving talent identification processes across PBA teams, something that has only gotten better in subsequent years.
The connection to coaching changes in Philippine volleyball might seem tangential, but to me it's part of a broader pattern in Philippine sports. When I learned about the 60-year-old Japanese mentor parting ways with defending champion Petro Gazz just three months after leading the team to its first-ever PVL All-Filipino Conference championship, it reminded me of how quickly things can change in Philippine professional sports. Both the PBA and PVL have seen their share of sudden coaching departures and unexpected team rebuilds. In basketball, we witnessed similar scenarios where championship-winning coaches would move teams shortly after success—recall how Yeng Guiao left Red Bull despite their championship runs.
What made the 2020 draft class particularly fascinating was their entry during the pandemic era. These players had to adapt to the PBA bubble environment, playing in empty stadiums with unprecedented health protocols. I've spoken with several players from that draft class who described the unique challenges—from limited practice time to the mental toll of isolation. Yet despite these obstacles, we saw immediate contributions from rookies across multiple teams. Mikey Williams averaged 18.7 points in his rookie season, while Calvin Oftana put up 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game—numbers that exceeded my expectations for first-year players in such difficult circumstances.
The long-term impact of this draft class is still unfolding, but I'm particularly bullish on how they've raised the level of athleticism in the league. We're seeing more positionless basketball, with forwards who can handle the ball and big men who can stretch the floor—trends that this draft class significantly accelerated. The international success of players like Thirdy Ravena (who entered through the special draft) has shown that the talent developed in the Philippine system can compete regionally.
Reflecting on it now, the 2020 PBA Draft represented more than just new players entering the league—it marked a transition toward a more modern, globally-oriented style of Philippine basketball. The selections demonstrated that teams were prioritizing versatility and skill over traditional positional thinking. As we see similar evolutions in other Philippine sports like volleyball, with coaches moving between teams and leagues rapidly, the 2020 PBA Draft stands as a milestone in how Philippine professional sports organizations approach team building and talent acquisition. The lessons from that draft—about valuing adaptability, embracing modern playing styles, and building for both immediate and long-term success—continue to influence how teams approach roster construction today.