I still remember the excitement buzzing through the PLDT office conference room that day—the air thick with anticipation as Team manager Jojo Lastimosa and PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas joined Mr. Pangilinan and our entire team for what felt more like a high-stakes family gathering than a formal draft viewing party. The 2007 PBA Rookie Draft wasn't just another procedural event; it was a turning point that would reshape multiple franchises for years to come. From my perspective as someone who's followed Philippine basketball through three decades, this particular draft class stands out not just for its top-tier talent but for how several teams completely transformed their fortunes based on decisions made that afternoon.
The first round unfolded with predictable drama, but what struck me most was how Samigue Eman going first overall to Purefoods set a fascinating tone. At 6'9" with raw but promising skills, Eman represented the classic high-risk, high-reward pick that franchises dream about. I recall Vargas leaning over to whisper something to Lastimosa during this selection—probably sharing that same mix of excitement and apprehension we all felt. While Eman's professional journey never quite reached the superstar heights some predicted, his 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game average during his rookie season provided glimpses of the dominance many had hoped for. What people forget is that his presence alone forced opposing teams to adjust their defensive schemes, creating opportunities for his teammates even when his personal stats didn't jump off the page.
Then came the selection that still gives me chills thinking about it—Joe Devance going second to Alaska. Watching from that Makati conference room, I remember thinking how perfectly his versatile game would fit coach Tim Cone's system. Devance wasn't just a player; he was a basketball Swiss Army knife who could legitimately play four positions. His career trajectory proved this intuition right, with the forward eventually playing for 7 different teams and winning 8 championships. I've always believed Devance's basketball IQ separated him from similarly talented players—his ability to read defenses and make the right pass reminded me of a point guard trapped in a forward's body. His 2012 season with B-Meg, where he averaged 14.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, showcased exactly the kind of all-around game that made him such a valuable draft pick.
The real steal of the draft, in my completely biased opinion, came at the seventh spot where Ryan Reyes landed with Santa Lucia. I distinctly recall the energy shifting in our viewing party when this pick was announced—several of us exchanged knowing glances recognizing the potential coup. Reyes brought a defensive tenacity that immediately translated to the professional level, earning Rookie of the Year honors with averages of 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. What the stats don't capture is how his perimeter defense disrupted opposing offenses from day one. I've always maintained that Reyes represented the perfect blend of immediate impact and long-term value that teams hope for in the middle of the first round.
Looking beyond the first round, the 2007 draft yielded several players who carved out meaningful careers despite lower expectations. I'm thinking particularly of Yousif Aljamal, who went in the second round to Red Bull but developed into a reliable rotation player. These later picks often fascinate me more than the obvious first-round choices—there's something compelling about watching players exceed modest expectations through sheer determination. Aljamal's journey from second-round afterthought to legitimate PBA contributor exemplifies why thorough scouting matters as much in the draft's later stages as it does at the top.
What made this draft class truly special, reflecting back, was how it balanced star power with remarkable depth. While the 2007 draft might not have produced a generational superstar like some previous classes, it delivered an impressive 14 players who would log at least 5 seasons in the league. From my vantage point in that conference room, surrounded by basketball minds like Lastimosa and Vargas, I sensed we were witnessing something beyond the usual draft excitement. There was a tangible feeling that several franchises had fundamentally improved themselves in a single afternoon.
The legacy of the 2007 draft class extends beyond statistics and championships. It demonstrated the importance of team-building philosophy and how different approaches to the same pool of talent could yield dramatically different outcomes. Some teams prioritized immediate help, others bet on long-term development, and a few struck gold with undervalued assets. Watching these careers unfold over the subsequent decade provided a masterclass in talent evaluation and player development that I still reference when analyzing current drafts. The lessons from that day in Makati continue to resonate whenever I watch new classes of hopefuls waiting to hear their names called, reminding me that draft night represents just the beginning of stories yet to be written.