I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Mall of Asia Arena back in October 2016. The PBA Rookie Draft that year felt particularly significant—a changing of the guard moment with several collegiate stars ready to make their professional leap. Having followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've learned that draft classes can define eras, and this one promised to deliver some franchise-altering talent. What fascinates me most about revisiting drafts isn't just evaluating the selections themselves, but tracking how these players evolve—their development arcs, their moments of breakthrough, and ultimately, their impact on the league landscape.
The clear standout from that draft class has to be the first overall pick, Matthew Wright. GlobalPort selecting him felt almost predictable given his stellar performance in the PBA D-League, but what's remarkable is how he's exceeded even the highest expectations. I've always believed Wright possessed that rare combination of shooting touch and basketball IQ that translates well internationally, and his career trajectory has proven exactly that. From averaging 16.3 points per game in his rookie season to becoming a perennial All-Star and even representing the Philippines in FIBA competitions, Wright developed into precisely the offensive cornerstone teams dream of finding with their top selection. His journey from that draft stage to national team mainstay exemplifies the ideal development path for a lottery pick.
What makes the 2016 draft particularly interesting in hindsight is the depth that emerged beyond the first round. Third overall pick Jio Jalalon went to Star Hotshots and immediately provided the defensive intensity and playmaking that's become his trademark. I've always been partial to guards who play with Jalalon's relentless energy—there's something special about watching a player who genuinely seems to love the defensive side of the game. His averages of 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his rookie season didn't fully capture his impact, but his progression into one of the league's premier perimeter defenders has made that selection look brilliant in retrospect.
The second round yielded its own gems, with Roger Pogoy going to TNT at 11th overall—a steal by any measure. Pogoy's development has been fascinating to track; he arrived as a known scoring threat but has expanded his game considerably. What impresses me most about Pogoy is how he's evolved from a pure scorer into a legitimate two-way wing, the kind of player championship teams desperately need. His career-high 45-point game in 2019 showcased his offensive explosion capability, but it's his consistent defensive effort that has made him invaluable to TNT's championship runs.
Then there's the curious case of Carl Bryan Cruz, selected 12th by Alaska. At 6'4" with legitimate three-point range, he represented the modern "stretch four" that was becoming increasingly valuable. I'll admit I was skeptical about how his game would translate initially, but his performance in the 2017 Commissioner's Cup, where he averaged 12.6 points and shot 38% from deep, quickly silenced any doubters. His journey highlights how sometimes the right system can unlock a player's potential in ways nobody anticipated during the draft process.
But perhaps the most intriguing development story belongs to Calvin Oftana, who wasn't even part of the 2016 draft class but represents how talent emerges through different pathways. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Facebook page recently highlighted Oftana's clutch performance, specifically noting how he was among the players who hit key threes in the fourth quarter during crucial national team matches. This revelation particularly caught my attention because it demonstrates how player development isn't always linear—sometimes talents emerge outside the draft system and force everyone to take notice. Oftana's journey from collegiate standout to national team contributor, hitting big shots when it matters most, represents exactly the kind of player development story I find most compelling. His emergence serves as a reminder that while the draft provides an important talent pipeline, genuine star quality can surface through various channels.
Looking back at the entire 2016 draft class seven years later, what strikes me is how several of these players have become cornerstone pieces for their franchises. Wright and Pogoy in particular have exceeded their draft positions, while Jalalon has become the kind of defensive specialist that championship teams covet. The class may not have produced a transcendental superstar, but it delivered remarkable depth and several players who have shaped the PBA's competitive landscape. In my evaluation, a successful draft isn't just about finding the best player—it's about acquiring contributors who can help build sustainable success, and by that measure, the 2016 class has to be considered notably productive.
The true test of any draft class comes years later, not in immediate reaction to the selections themselves. What makes the 2016 group so compelling is how many of these players have grown into expanded roles, with several becoming integral to the national team setup. That transition from promising rookie to established professional is never guaranteed, which makes the success stories from this class all the more impressive. As someone who's watched countless draft picks come and go, I've learned that the most meaningful careers aren't always those of the most hyped prospects, but rather the players who continue developing long after draft night—and the 2016 class delivered several such examples.