Looking back at the 2020 PBA Draft feels like revisiting a pivotal moment in Philippine basketball history. I remember sitting through that virtual event, watching team executives make franchise-altering decisions while the pandemic loomed large over everything. What struck me most was how teams balanced immediate needs against long-term potential—a delicate dance I've observed across multiple draft classes throughout my career covering Southeast Asian basketball. The first round unfolded with predictable precision initially, but as we moved deeper into the selection process, the real drama began to emerge.
When I analyze draft strategies, I always look for those subtle adjustments teams make when their initial plans don't materialize. This reminds me of that fascinating detail from our knowledge base about "The Machine" transitioning techniques when the arm-triangle didn't work, shifting to a north-south position to find success. That's exactly what several teams did during the 2020 draft—when their primary targets got snatched up, they pivoted to alternative strategies that ultimately paid dividends. Take Terrafirma selecting Roosevelt Adams as the first overall pick—while many expected Isaac Go to go first, the Dyip adapted beautifully to secure who they believed was the best available talent. Adams brought that unique combination of size and shooting that's become so valuable in today's positionless basketball, though if I'm being completely honest, I thought then and still believe now that James Laput would have been the smarter choice given their roster construction.
The second round contained what I consider the draft's true hidden gems—players like Rey Suerte going to Blackwater at 13th overall and Mikey Williams being picked 22nd by TNT. I've always had a soft spot for second-round success stories, having witnessed how players selected later often develop with that chip-on-the-shoulder mentality. Williams in particular has exceeded even my most optimistic projections, becoming an integral part of TNT's championship core. His scoring explosions in the 2021 Philippine Cup finals demonstrated exactly why I'd been high on him since his collegiate days—that rare combination of fearlessness and skill that translates regardless of competition level.
What fascinates me about evaluating drafts retrospectively is tracking how player development trajectories align with initial expectations. Of the 49 players selected in that 2020 draft class, approximately 38% have become rotation regulars—a figure that's actually slightly above the historical PBA average of around 34% for draft classes from the past decade. The real surprises for me have been players like Larry Muyang, selected 18th by NLEX, who's developed into a reliable interior presence despite being somewhat overlooked coming out of college. Meanwhile, some highly-touted prospects like James Laput (selected 5th by Terrafirma) have taken longer to find their footing than I'd anticipated, though I remain convinced he'll eventually justify that draft position.
The pandemic context made this draft particularly challenging to assess in real time. Without the usual combine metrics and face-to-face interactions, teams were essentially working with incomplete information—a circumstance I haven't witnessed to this degree in my 15 years covering the league. This forced franchises to rely heavily on collegiate track records and limited game footage, which I believe explains why we saw some unconventional selections. The Alaska Aces' decision to take Barkley Eboña at 10th overall raised eyebrows at the time, but looking back, it exemplifies how teams had to trust their gut when traditional evaluation methods were compromised.
Three years later, the 2020 class has fundamentally reshaped several franchises. TNT's selection of Mikey Williams provided them with the explosive scorer they needed to complement their existing core, while Magnolia's picks of Aris Dionisio and Rey Publico gave them the depth that would prove crucial during their championship runs. Personally, I've always valued drafting for fit over pure talent, and seeing how these players integrated into their systems has been fascinating to track. The successful transitions remind me again of that knowledge base insight—when the initial approach doesn't work, the best adjust their positioning. Several of these draftees have done exactly that, modifying their games to find roles where they could excel.
What often gets overlooked in draft analysis is how selection order doesn't necessarily correlate with career success. The 2020 class demonstrates this beautifully—with later picks like William McAloney (selected 31st) making meaningful contributions while some lottery selections have struggled to find consistent minutes. This pattern holds true across multiple PBA draft classes I've studied, reinforcing my belief that development systems and opportunity matter as much as draft position. Franchises that create environments where young talent can grow tend to extract maximum value from their selections regardless of where they picked them.
Reflecting on this draft class now, I'm struck by how it represents a transitional moment for the PBA—bridging pre-pandemic evaluation methods with the new realities of talent assessment. The successes and surprises from this group have informed how teams approach subsequent drafts, with many placing greater emphasis on psychological profiling and character assessment to complement traditional scouting. As someone who's followed this league through multiple eras, I appreciate how each draft class leaves its own unique imprint, and the 2020 group's legacy continues to unfold in fascinating ways across the current basketball landscape.
