Looking back at the 2019 PBA Draft, I still remember the palpable tension in the air at Robinson's Place Manila that evening. Ginebra's draft strategy that year particularly fascinated me because it unfolded against this unusual backdrop—their legendary coach Chot Reyes wouldn't even be on the bench for their first game with these new players. The league handing him an automatic suspension after that fifth technical foul against TNT created this fascinating coaching vacuum right when they needed leadership most. I've always believed draft success isn't just about picking talent, but about integrating that talent, and doing it without your head coach adds this incredible layer of difficulty.
What struck me most about Ginebra's approach was how they balanced immediate needs with long-term development. Their first-round pick, Arvin Tolentino, represented such an interesting choice. At 6'5" with that smooth outside shot, he filled their need for a stretch big who could space the floor. I remember watching his college games and thinking he'd thrive in Tim Cone's system—except of course, Cone wasn't the coach then. The suspension forced assistant coaches to take more responsibility in developing these rookies, which actually created unexpected opportunities for player development. Tolentino's rookie numbers—about 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15 minutes per game—don't tell the whole story. What impressed me was how quickly he adapted to the physicality of the PBA despite the coaching disruption.
Their second-round selection, Kent Salado, showed this different kind of thinking. Salado was this explosive guard from Arellano University who'd shown flashes of brilliance in the NCAA. I'd watched him drop 28 points against San Beda once, and his quickness was absolutely elite. But picking a point guard when they already had LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson seemed curious to me initially. Looking back, I think they recognized the PBA's trend toward multiple ball-handlers and wanted to develop someone behind their veterans. Unfortunately, injuries hampered Salado's development, but the strategic thinking was sound—draft for the league you anticipate, not the one you see today.
What many fans might not realize is how much draft strategy involves predicting other teams' moves. I recall sitting with team executives from another franchise that night, and everyone was surprised Ginebra managed to get Allen Enriquez in the third round. Enriquez was this tough, undersized forward from Bataan who played with relentless energy. While he never became a star, he provided exactly what Ginebra needed—quality practice competition and someone who could push their starters daily. Those late-round picks are often about building team culture, and Enriquez's work ethic in practice reportedly impressed the coaching staff tremendously.
The suspension situation actually revealed something important about Ginebra's organizational strength. Without Reyes on the bench, assistant coaches like Kirk Collier and Olsen Racela took larger roles in integrating the new players. From conversations I've had with people within the organization, this forced collaboration actually strengthened their coaching staff long-term. Sometimes constraints breed creativity, and having to develop three rookies without their head coach available for every practice created more ownership among the assistant coaches.
What I find most compelling about analyzing drafts years later is seeing which picks delivered value beyond statistics. Tolentino has developed into a reliable rotation player, appearing in about 65% of Ginebra's games over his first three seasons. Salado, despite his injuries, showed flashes of that potential before moving to other opportunities. But the real value came from how these picks allowed Ginebra to manage their veterans' minutes more effectively. Tenorio's playing time decreased by nearly 4 minutes per game the following season, which likely extended his productivity.
If you ask me whether their 2019 draft was successful, I'd say it was strategically sound even if not spectacular. They addressed specific needs—shooting with Tolentino, backcourt depth with Salado, and practice intensity with Enriquez. The suspension complication actually demonstrated their organization's resilience. In my years covering the PBA, I've seen teams crumble under much less adversity than losing their head coach right after the draft. Ginebra's player development system proved robust enough to handle the challenge.
The true test of any draft class comes years later, and watching Tolentino develop into a rotation player for a championship-caliber team confirms they identified the right talent. What fascinates me most is how their strategy balanced present needs with future flexibility. They didn't reach for players who'd only help immediately, nor did they draft purely for potential. That balanced approach, executed amid unexpected coaching limitations, makes their 2019 draft far more impressive than it might appear at first glance. Sometimes the most successful drafts aren't about finding superstars, but about building sustainable competitive advantage—and that's exactly what Ginebra accomplished under unusual circumstances.
