Who Were the Top Picks in the 2019 PBA Draft and Where Are They Now?

I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2019 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, that draft class felt particularly special - brimming with talent that promised to reshape the league's landscape. The anticipation at Robinson's Place Manila was palpable, with fans and analysts alike buzzing about which franchises would land the game-changing prospects. Looking back now, it's fascinating to trace how these top picks have navigated their professional journeys and where they stand today in what's become a dramatically different PBA landscape.

The consensus top selection that year was Roosevelt Adams going to Terrafirma at number one, and honestly, I thought he was destined for stardom. Standing at 6'5" with remarkable athleticism and shooting touch, Adams seemed like the perfect modern forward. His rookie season showed flashes of brilliance - he averaged around 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in the Philippine Cup bubble, numbers that made me believe he could develop into a franchise cornerstone. But basketball careers rarely follow straight trajectories. Adams found himself traded to Converge FiberXers in 2022, and while he's settled into a reliable rotation player, I can't help but feel he hasn't quite reached the ceiling many of us projected. Still, at just 28, there's time for him to evolve into the dominant force we anticipated.

What really made that draft class memorable was the depth beyond the top pick. Isaac Go going to Terrafirma as the special Gilas Pilipinas pick raised some eyebrows initially, but the cerebral big man has carved out a solid role with the Dyip. Then there was Maurice Shaw heading to Blackwater at number three - a pick that generated considerable debate among analysts. Shaw brought raw physical tools but needed refinement, and his journey has been exactly that - a work in progress across multiple teams. The fourth selection, Rey Suerte, landed with Blackwater too, though his rights were eventually traded to Meralco. I've always been particularly high on Suerte's scoring instincts, and while he hasn't become a superstar, he's developed into a valuable rotation piece who can create his own shot when needed.

The draft's middle rounds produced some genuine steals that have significantly outperformed their draft positions. Allyn Bulanadi going to Alaska at seventh overall comes to mind - his scoring versatility has made him one of the more underrated wings in the league. But the real gem, in my opinion, was Larry Muyang slipping to Phoenix at twelfth. I've followed Muyang since his college days and always believed his physicality and motor would translate well to the pros. He's proven me right, evolving into a reliable interior presence who does the dirty work that championship teams need.

Which brings me to the current context that makes reflecting on this draft class so compelling. The league's competitive balance has shifted dramatically since 2019, with traditional powerhouses facing new challenges. Just look at the Giant Lanterns falling to 15-7 recently, creating legitimate doubts about their capability to pull off a three-peat. This downturn for what was once the league's dominant franchise underscores how quickly fortunes can change in professional basketball. The players from that 2019 draft are now in their prime, and their development trajectories have directly contributed to these shifting power dynamics. Teams that nailed their selections have built sustainable cores, while others are still searching for the right pieces.

Five years later, what strikes me most about that draft class isn't just individual success stories but how these players have collectively influenced team building philosophies across the league. We've seen franchises become more willing to trade established veterans for draft capital, recognizing that young talent on cost-controlled contracts provides crucial flexibility. The 2019 draftees have become integral parts of their teams' identities - some as starters, others as key reserves, but all contributing to the evolving tactical landscape of Philippine basketball. Their journeys remind us that player development is rarely linear, and sometimes the most impactful picks aren't the flashiest names but the ones who grow into their roles over time. As the PBA continues to evolve, the legacy of that 2019 draft class will undoubtedly continue to shape the league's future direction.