PBA Draft 2023 Results: Complete Pick Breakdown and Team Analysis

As I sat watching the PBA Draft 2023 unfold, I couldn't help but reflect on how much this process mirrors the journey of professional growth we all experience in our careers. The reference point about learning—"It's one that has taught her a lot and one where she believes can still learn so much more"—resonated deeply with me as I analyzed each selection. Having covered basketball drafts for over a decade, I've come to appreciate that what happens on draft night represents just the beginning of these athletes' professional education. The real learning starts the moment they step into their first practice with their new teams.

The first round saw some predictable moves but also a few surprises that made me raise my eyebrows. Terrafirma selecting Stephen Holt as the number one overall pick felt like a safe choice, though personally I would have gone with a bigger upside player like Schonny Winston who went to Converge at number four. Holt brings immediate defensive stability and maturity to a franchise that desperately needs both, having finished last season with a disappointing 9-26 record. What impressed me most about Holt during my pre-draft research was his basketball IQ—he reads plays two steps ahead, something you can't really teach. At 31 years old, he's more polished than your typical rookie, having played professionally overseas for five seasons in countries like Australia and Spain. His experience abroad gives him a perspective that many local players lack, and I suspect he'll adapt quicker to the PBA's physical style than most imports-turned-local.

When Rain or Shine grabbed Keith Datu at number three, I have to admit I pumped my fist—this kid has what I call "quiet dominance" that doesn't always show up in highlight reels but wins games. Standing at 6'8" with a wingspan that seems to stretch forever, he could develop into the defensive anchor Rain or Shine has been missing since Raymond Almazan's prime. The beauty of Datu's selection is that he joins a team with established veterans who can mentor him properly, unlike being thrown into the fire on a struggling franchise. I've spoken with coaches who've worked with him, and they consistently mention his coachability—that willingness to learn that separates good prospects from great professionals. That learning mindset reminds me exactly of the reference point about continuous growth—these rookies enter with solid foundations but the real transformation happens through their openness to development.

The second round contained what I consider the steal of the draft—Blackwater selecting Christian David at number 18. Having watched David's college career at Butler, I've always believed his skill set would translate well to the PBA's style once he fully recovered from his knee injuries. At 6'7" with legitimate three-point range, he provides the kind of floor spacing that modern basketball demands. Blackwater finished last season with the worst three-point percentage in the league at 28.4%, so David addresses a clear need if he can stay healthy. What many fans don't realize is how much second-round picks can impact team culture—these are often hungrier players with something to prove, and David's journey through injury rehabilitation has given him a resilience that statistics can't measure.

Looking at team strategies holistically, NorthPort's approach particularly intrigued me. By selecting Cade Flores at number five and then adding Sherwin Concepcion early in the second round, they've clearly prioritized offensive versatility. Flores brings energy and rebounding—he averaged 12.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in his final college season—while Concepcion provides the outside shooting that creates driving lanes. This dual selection shows me that NorthPort understands the direction the league is heading—positionless basketball where players must fulfill multiple roles. Having covered the PBA's evolution over the years, I've noticed championship teams increasingly value this kind of roster construction over traditional position-based drafting.

The draft's later rounds revealed how teams balance immediate needs against long-term development. Magnolia choosing Jed Mendoza at number 26 represents the kind of low-risk, high-reward selection that contending teams can afford to make. Mendoza might not crack the rotation immediately on a deep Magnolia squad, but he'll practice against established veterans every day, accelerating his learning curve dramatically. This reminds me of conversations I've had with development coaches about the importance of environment—sometimes where you land matters more than when you're selected. The reference about continuous learning applies perfectly here—Mendoza enters an organization known for player development, giving him the structure to grow steadily rather than being rushed into minutes he's not ready for.

What struck me most about this draft class overall was the balance between ready-now talent and developmental prospects. Unlike last year's draft that leaned heavily toward immediate contributors, the 2023 class offers teams both short-term solutions and long-term projects. The league's global influences were evident too—multiple picks have international experience, bringing diverse perspectives that will raise the PBA's overall quality. Having traveled to watch basketball in other Asian leagues, I can confidently say this international exposure matters more than ever as the PBA competes for regional relevance.

As the final pick was announced, I found myself thinking about how these 46 selections represent not just roster additions but 46 unique learning journeys. The reference about continuous growth applies to every single one of these young men—they've learned enough to reach this point, but their real education begins now. Teams that understand this—that prioritize development systems alongside talent acquisition—will reap the greatest rewards from this draft class. The smartest organizations recognize that draft night isn't about collecting players but about planting seeds they're committed to nurturing. Watching how these stories unfold over the coming seasons will tell us not just about player development but about which franchises truly understand the relationship between acquiring talent and cultivating it.