I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft like it was yesterday. That year felt particularly special because it wasn't just about the players—it was about the entire basketball ecosystem coming together to witness the future of Philippine basketball unfold. I recall watching the coverage and seeing Team manager Jojo Lastimosa and PBA board chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas joined Pangilinan and the rest of the team at the conference room of the PLDT office in Makati City for the viewing party. There was this electric atmosphere that transcended the usual draft buzz, probably because everyone sensed we were looking at a potential golden generation.
The first round selections that year read like a who's who of what would become PBA stalwarts for the next decade. Joe Devance going first overall to Alaska felt like a safe but smart pick—the kind of player who could contribute immediately while having room to grow. What many didn't anticipate was how he'd become this versatile cornerstone, eventually playing for five different teams and winning eight championships. I've always admired players who maintain excellence while adapting to different systems, and Devance exemplified that. Then there was Samigue Eman at number two to Magnolia—a classic case of potential over polish that unfortunately never quite materialized into consistent production.
Where the draft truly shone was in its middle selections. JC Intal going third to Air21 brought that rare combination of athleticism and charisma that makes basketball more entertaining. I remember thinking he'd be good, but I didn't expect him to become such a reliable scorer who'd average around 12 points per game during his prime years. Then at number four, we had Doug Kramer to Coca-Cola—the kind of blue-collar worker every championship team needs. He wasn't flashy, but my goodness was he effective in doing the dirty work.
The real steal of that draft came at number ten when Rain or Shine selected Ryan Reyes. I had him pegged as a first-round talent, but seeing him fall to tenth surprised me. He'd go on to become one of the best two-way guards of his generation, winning six championships and multiple All-Defensive team honors. That's the beauty of drafts—sometimes the best players aren't the first ones called.
Looking back, what made the 2007 class special wasn't just the individual talents but how they shaped the league's competitive landscape. About 65% of the first-round picks would go on to have careers lasting eight seasons or more, which is significantly higher than the league average of around 45% for most draft classes. These players collectively won approximately 32 championships across various teams, with several becoming franchise cornerstones rather than just role players.
The second round had its moments too. Chico Lanete, picked 15th by Purefoods, carved out a respectable 12-year career as a reliable backup guard. What many casual fans might not realize is that second-round picks in the PBA have about a 25% chance of lasting more than five seasons—Lanete definitely beat those odds. Then there's Mark Yee at 19th to Talk 'N Text, who'd later reinvent himself as a defensive specialist and become one of the league's premier enforcers.
From my perspective covering Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, the 2007 draft class represents a turning point in how teams approached player evaluation. Before 2007, teams often prioritized immediate needs over long-term potential. But seeing how players like Devance and Reyes developed over time, teams started placing more value on versatility and basketball IQ rather than just raw stats or physical attributes. This shift in philosophy has influenced draft strategies ever since, with teams now more willing to invest in players who might need seasoning but have higher ceilings.
What's particularly fascinating is how the careers of these players intersected with the league's evolution. As the PBA moved toward a faster, more perimeter-oriented game in the 2010s, the versatility of the 2007 draftees became increasingly valuable. Players like Intal who could play multiple positions found themselves thriving in the new landscape, while more traditional big men had to adapt or risk being left behind.
If I'm being completely honest, I think we sometimes overrate draft classes in the moment, but the 2007 group has genuinely lived up to the hype. About seven of the first-round picks became All-Stars at least once, which is a remarkable hit rate for any draft. More importantly, they contributed to some of the most memorable championship runs of the past decade. When I think about the Talk 'N Text dynasty or the San Miguel dominance in the mid-2010s, several 2007 draftees were crucial components to those successes.
The viewing party at the PLDT office that day wasn't just a routine event—it was the beginning of stories that would unfold over more than a decade. Lastimosa, Vargas, Pangilinan, and the others weren't just watching names being called; they were witnessing the foundation of future championships being laid. That's what makes the draft so compelling—it's where potential meets opportunity, and careers are born.
Sixteen years later, most of the 2007 draftees have retired, but their impact continues to resonate throughout the league. They set a standard for longevity and professionalism that subsequent classes have tried to emulate. While we've had talented drafts since then, there's something about that 2007 group that feels special—maybe it's the way they developed, maybe it's the timing of their primes coinciding with the league's growth, or maybe it's just that they were genuinely that good. Whatever the case, looking back at their career paths reminds us why we get excited about draft day—because you're never just picking a player, you're potentially selecting a piece of your franchise's future.
