2018 PBA Draft List: Complete Player Selections and Team Breakdown

Looking back at the 2018 PBA Draft, I still remember the palpable tension in the arena that day—the kind of electric atmosphere that makes Philippine basketball so special. As someone who's followed the league for over a decade, I've always found draft nights to be fascinating windows into each team's strategic thinking. That particular year felt like a turning point for several franchises, with teams making selections that would either accelerate their rebuilding processes or set them back years. What struck me most was how teams balanced between immediate needs and long-term potential, creating a draft class that would significantly reshape the league's competitive landscape in the coming seasons.

The first round saw some predictable moves but also a few surprises that had analysts like myself scrambling to adjust our projections. When the Columbian Dyip selected CJ Perez as the first overall pick, it felt like the obvious choice—the guy had been dominating the collegiate scene and possessed that rare combination of athleticism and basketball IQ that translates well to the professional level. But what really impressed me was how Phoenix Pulse approached their back-to-back picks at numbers 4 and 5, selecting both Jason Perkins and Jorey Napoles. That dual selection demonstrated incredible foresight—they weren't just filling one position but building what would become the core of their frontcourt rotation for years to come. I've always believed that the most successful draft strategies involve seeing how pieces fit together rather than just taking the "best available" player, and Phoenix executed this perfectly.

What many casual observers miss about draft analysis is how team context affects player development. Take Bobby Ray Parks Jr., who went second overall to Blackwater—the talent was undeniable, but I had concerns about whether the Elite's system at the time would maximize his potential. Meanwhile, I thought NorthPort scoring Abu Tratter at number 7 was an absolute steal—he brought exactly the kind of energy and interior presence they needed alongside their established stars. The draft isn't just about acquiring talent; it's about acquiring the right talent for your specific ecosystem. That's why I've never been a fan of purely drafting "the best player available"—basketball is too nuanced for that approach to consistently work.

The second round often separates the prepared franchises from the reactive ones, and 2018 provided plenty of evidence for this theory. Teams like Rain or Shine demonstrated why they've been so consistently competitive over the years by snagging Javee Mocon at 13th overall—a player I had projected going much earlier. His polished game and basketball intelligence made him ready to contribute immediately, something I value highly in second-round selections where the hit rate typically drops significantly. Meanwhile, Magnolia's selection of Robbie Herndon at 15th showed their keen eye for identifying players whose skills fit their disciplined system perfectly. These mid-to-late round successes often determine a draft's ultimate legacy more than the lottery picks everyone focuses on.

Reflecting on the collegiate pipeline that year, I can't help but think about how UE's struggles under then-new coach Chris Gavina affected their players' draft positions. Having watched that UE team closely throughout their winless campaign, I saw firsthand how team context can obscure individual talent. Precious Momowei's 23-point, 13-rebound double-double in their final game exemplified the kind of performance that makes scouts take notice despite the team's record. In my evaluation process, I always try to separate individual performance from team results—a player putting up strong numbers on a struggling team often demonstrates greater mental toughness and skill than someone surrounded by talent. This context is crucial when projecting how collegiate performances will translate to the PBA.

The draft's impact became apparent surprisingly quickly—by the following season, we saw several rookies making immediate contributions that exceeded expectations. CJ Perez averaged 20.8 points in his debut season, a figure I found remarkable for a rookie on an expansion team. Meanwhile, players like Javee Mocon and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. slotted seamlessly into their teams' rotations, providing the two-way versatility that modern PBA basketball demands. What impressed me most was how quickly these players adapted—the jump from collegiate to professional basketball in the Philippines is significant, yet this class seemed particularly prepared for the transition. Having watched numerous draft classes throughout my career, I'd rank the 2018 group among the most immediately impactful in recent memory.

Five years later, the 2018 draft class has firmly established its legacy within the league landscape. The players selected have collected numerous individual accolades while fundamentally shifting team competitive balances. When I look at franchises like NorthPort and Phoenix today, I see teams built around the core of that draft class—evidence that smart drafting remains the most reliable path to sustainable success in the PBA. The class produced multiple All-Stars, award winners, and most importantly, players who became foundational pieces for their franchises. In my assessment, the 2018 draft will be remembered as one of the deeper classes of this era, with talent extending well into the second round—a rarity in Philippine basketball where top-heavy drafts are more common.

What continues to fascinate me about draft analysis is how initial perceptions evolve over time. Some players I was high on in 2018 have developed exactly as projected, while others have surprised me with their growth trajectories. The true test of any draft class isn't the immediate reaction but how these players develop over their first contract cycle. Watching the 2018 draftees mature into veterans has been particularly rewarding—they've not only fulfilled their potential but in many cases exceeded it, becoming the new faces of the league. As someone who's followed their careers from draft night to the present, I take particular satisfaction in having recognized their potential early while remaining open to being pleasantly surprised by their development.