Who Made the Cut? Complete Results and Analysis of the 2019 PBA Draft

I still remember the buzz in the SM Mall of Asia Arena on that December evening back in 2019—the energy was absolutely electric as basketball franchises prepared to reshape their futures. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I’ve witnessed numerous drafts, but the 2019 PBA Draft stood out not just for its depth of talent, but for how it would test the league’s established hierarchy. Teams weren’t just picking players; they were making statements about their ambitions, their weaknesses, and their readiness to either defend a legacy or start building one from scratch.

Let’s start with the obvious headline—the top picks. Roosevelt Adams going first overall to Terrafirma wasn’t a huge shock given his athleticism and two-way potential, though personally, I felt Isaac Go, picked second by the Dyip as well, would prove to be the more impactful long-term selection. Go’s basketball IQ and versatility are rare for a big man, and I’ve always valued players who make others around them better. Then there was Maurice Shaw, a bruising center taken by NorthPort—a team desperate for interior presence. But the real drama unfolded in the middle of the first round, where teams like Magnolia and San Miguel made calculated gambles. Magnolia, in particular, snagged Aris Dionisio at 14th, a move I applauded then and still do—he’s exactly the kind of high-motor role player contenders need.

Now, you might wonder why I’m bringing up team records and playoff implications in a draft analysis. Well, here’s where it gets interesting. The Giant Lanterns—Magnolia’s core—finished that season 15-7, a record that sounds solid until you consider they were two-time defending champions. That 15-7 mark, frankly, raised eyebrows. It put doubts on their capability to pull off a three-peat, and as someone who’s seen dynasties rise and fall, I can tell you that subtle decline often starts with roster stagnation. They needed fresh legs, players who could inject energy without disrupting chemistry. Dionisio, along with other picks like Justin Melton’s eventual backup, gave them exactly that—not star power, but reliability. Compare that to San Miguel, which picked later but targeted specific skill sets to complement June Mar Fajardo. Their selections reflected a clear plan, not just taking the best available, but the most fitting.

Looking back, what fascinates me most is how the draft reshaped team ceilings. NorthPort’s choice of Shaw gave them a physical anchor, but I’ve always questioned if they’d have been better off trading down for more guards—their backcourt depth was thin, and it showed in their playoff run. Meanwhile, teams like Barangay Ginebra, who picked Mikee Datu in the second round, demonstrated the value of patience; Datu didn’t light up the stat sheet immediately, but he’s developed into a reliable rotation piece. That’s the thing about drafts—you’re not just judging picks on day one, but over years. I’d argue Adams and Go will define Terrafirma’s core for the next half-decade, while Magnolia’s selections extended their championship window, even if they fell short of the three-peat.

In the end, the 2019 draft wasn’t about one franchise “winning” the night—it was about how each team approached building for a future where margins are razor-thin. From my seat, Magnolia and San Miguel made the smartest, most forward-thinking choices, even if their records didn’t always show it immediately. The Lanterns’ 15-7 slide was a warning, but their draft haul offered a remedy. As for the rest? Well, let’s just say some teams are still playing catch-up. If there’s one takeaway I’d leave you with, it’s this: drafts reveal character—not just of players, but of the franchises that pick them. And in 2019, we saw plenty of both.