What to Expect from Amores in the PBA Draft and His Potential Impact

I remember watching the 2023 PBA draft like it was yesterday, and honestly, I was genuinely surprised when Santos slipped to the second round. The 6-foot-5 prospect eventually got picked 14th overall by his current team, and I've been tracking his progress ever since. Now, with Amores entering the draft conversation, I can't help but draw some parallels and wonder what his journey might look like. From my years covering Philippine basketball, I've noticed that second-round picks often carry this unique blend of motivation and untapped potential—something I believe Amores possesses in spades.

When I look at Amores, I see a player who could realistically go anywhere between picks 8 and 15 in my opinion, depending on team needs and how workouts shake out. His athleticism is undeniable, but what really stands out to me is his versatility on both ends of the floor. I've watched enough game tape to notice he's comfortable creating his own shot, which isn't always common for players his size coming into the league. His college stats show he averaged around 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season, numbers that suggest he could contribute right away in a limited role. The way I see it, his ceiling might be higher than some of the projected first-rounders, though he'll need to work on his consistency from beyond the arc—he shot about 32% from three-point range, which isn't terrible but needs improvement to thrive in today's PBA.

What fascinates me most about Amores is how he could fit into different team systems. I'm particularly excited about the possibility of him landing with a team like Rain or Shine or NorthPort, franchises that have shown they're willing to develop young talent. If he drops to the second round like Santos did last year, I wouldn't be shocked to see him become one of those classic "steal" stories we occasionally get in the draft. His length and defensive instincts remind me a bit of a young Arwind Santos, though I should stress he's got his own unique style. The PBA's evolving style of play—faster pace, more spacing—plays right into his strengths as a mobile forward who can switch on defense and finish in transition.

From my perspective, Amores' impact could be felt immediately if he lands in the right situation. I'd project him playing about 16-18 minutes per game in his rookie season, potentially putting up 7-8 points and 4 rebounds if he adjusts quickly. The PBA's physicality will be an adjustment—I've seen many talented prospects struggle with that initial jump—but his frame suggests he can handle the contact better than most. What really excites me is his potential in pick-and-roll situations; he's shown flashes of being an excellent roll man who can either finish at the rim or make the right pass when defenses collapse.

Looking at the bigger picture, I believe Amores represents the continuing evolution of the Filipino basketball player—versatile, skilled, and adaptable. His development could follow a similar trajectory to Santos, who I've noticed has been getting meaningful minutes in his rookie season despite being a second-round selection. The PBA needs these kinds of stories—players who exceed expectations and bring new dimensions to their teams. While nothing's guaranteed in professional basketball, something tells me we'll be talking about Amores as one of the more interesting prospects from this draft class a couple of years from now. His combination of physical tools and basketball IQ gives him a foundation that's hard to ignore, and I for one can't wait to see how his career unfolds.