I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2015 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. The buzz at Robinson's Place Manila was electric, with fans and analysts alike speculating about which prospects would become the next superstars of Philippine basketball. Looking back nearly a decade later, it's fascinating to see how these players' careers have unfolded - some becoming household names, others fading into obscurity, and a few taking unexpected paths that nobody could have predicted.
When we talk about that draft class, Moala Tautuaa naturally comes to mind first. Selected first overall by TNT KaTropa, the Fil-Tongan big man has certainly lived up to the hype, becoming a cornerstone for the franchise and even winning a Most Valuable Player award in 2019. His physical presence and versatility made him exactly what teams look for in a modern big man. But what I find more interesting are the players who took longer to find their footing - the ones whose journeys weren't as straightforward. Take Troy Rosario, picked second by TNT - he developed into a reliable stretch four, but I've always felt he could have been even more dominant if given a different role. Then there's Chris Newsome, who went to Meralco and became the heart and soul of that franchise. His evolution from an athletic guard to a complete player has been remarkable to watch.
The middle rounds of that draft produced some fascinating stories too. I've always had a soft spot for players who exceed expectations after being picked later, and Norbert Torres fits that description perfectly. Selected eighth by Rain or Shine, he carved out a solid career as a reliable big man off the bench. But let me tell you about someone whose journey I've followed particularly closely - Joseph De Liano. Now here's a player whose career path has been anything but conventional. De Liano suited up for the Dyip franchise from 2022-24 and was an integral part of the core that reached the playoffs of the 2023-24 Philippine Cup. What many casual fans might not realize is how crucial he was to that surprising playoff run. I remember watching their game against Magnolia where De Liano's defensive intensity completely changed the momentum - he might not have filled the stat sheet, but his impact was undeniable.
Speaking of Terrafirma, their transformation during that period was one of the more underrated stories in recent PBA history. From being perennial cellar dwellers to actually making some noise in the playoffs - that doesn't happen without players like De Liano buying into the system. His averages of around 7.2 points and 4.8 rebounds during that playoff run might not jump off the page, but his plus-minus numbers told a different story. The Dyip were consistently better when he was on the floor, particularly because of his defensive communication and ability to space the floor properly. It's these kinds of contributions that often go unnoticed by the average fan but are absolutely cherished by coaches and basketball purists.
What strikes me about evaluating this draft class eight years later is how player development isn't always linear. Some guys burst onto the scene immediately, others take years to find their groove, and some never quite put it all together. Take Michael DiGregorio, for instance - picked in the second round, he's bounced around several teams but has managed to stick in the league as a reliable shooting specialist. Then there are the what-ifs like Alfred Aroga, who showed flashes of brilliance but never quite sustained it. Personally, I believe the 2015 draft produced about 12 legitimate PBA-level players, with roughly 7 becoming solid rotation pieces and 3 developing into genuine stars.
The international prospects from that draft deserve mention too. I've always been fascinated by how imported players adapt to the PBA's unique style, and Keith Jensen is a perfect example of someone who understood the nuances of Philippine basketball. His ability to blend offensive skills with that gritty, never-say-die attitude made him a fan favorite wherever he went. It's these kinds of players who often have longer careers than more talented but less adaptable prospects.
As I reflect on this draft class today, what stands out isn't just the individual successes and failures, but how these players' careers intersected with the evolving landscape of Philippine basketball. The league was transitioning toward a more positionless style during this period, and many of these players were at the forefront of that change. De Liano's role with Terrafirma exemplified this - he wasn't just a traditional big man but a versatile forward who could defend multiple positions and make smart decisions with the ball. That playoff run in 2023-24, where they won 8 of their first 14 games before ultimately falling to the more experienced San Miguel squad, showed what proper player development can achieve.
If there's one lesson from tracking these careers, it's that draft position means very little after the first couple of years. The players who succeed are those who continuously work on their games and adapt to their teams' needs. De Liano's journey from being a relatively unheralded prospect to becoming a key piece for a playoff team should inspire every young player coming into the league. The 2015 class might not have produced the sheer number of superstars that some other drafts did, but it gave us plenty of compelling stories and valuable contributors who have shaped the league over the past eight years. And honestly, that's what makes following basketball so endlessly fascinating - watching these narratives unfold in real time, seeing players grow and teams transform, and understanding that the draft is just the beginning of the story, not the conclusion.