Looking Back at the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft: Where Are They Now?

I still remember that electric atmosphere at Robinson’s Place Manila back in 2015—the air thick with anticipation, young hopefuls in crisp barongs, families clutching rosaries. I was covering my third PBA Rookie Draft as a sports journalist then, perched awkwardly on those unforgiving plastic chairs, nursing a terrible iced coffee. What struck me most wasn’t the first pick—that was almost certainly going to be Troy Rosario, and indeed it was—but the palpable tension around the mid-first round. Teams were gambling on raw potential over proven collegiate stars, a strategy that either builds dynasties or becomes a cautionary tale. Now, nearly a decade later, it’s surreal to look back at the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft and trace where these players have landed. Some soared; others quietly faded. A few became cornerstones, while others became answers to trivia questions.

I’ll admit, I had a soft spot for Mac Belo even before his name was called. He wasn’t the most polished, but there was a fiery consistency to his game that reminded me of vintage PBA legends. When Rain or Shine snagged him at fourth overall, I scribbled "potential steal" in my notebook. Fast forward to today, and Belo’s journey has been a rollercoaster—a FIBA stint, a major knee injury, and now carving out a role as a reliable veteran. It’s a career of what-ifs, but also of resilience. Contrast that with the top pick, Troy Rosario. He’s lived up to the billing, a versatile big man who’s been a key piece for TNT Tropang Giga. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen him hit a clutch three-pointer that had the whole arena on its feet. His career arc feels almost linear, a testament to his steady development.

Then there’s the curious case of Chris Javier, picked in the second round. He bounced around a few teams, never quite finding a permanent home, and last I heard, he was playing in the MPBL. It’s the harsh reality for many draft picks—not everyone gets a storybook ending. But what fascinates me is how this draft class, as a whole, influenced the league’s shift towards more positionless basketball. You had bigs who could shoot, guards who could post up. It was a glimpse into the modern PBA. I remember chatting with a scout that day who muttered, "We’re not just drafting players; we’re drafting systems." He was right. The 2015 class became integral to how coaches built their rotations, emphasizing versatility over rigid roles.

Of course, no look back at this draft would be complete without mentioning the collegiate pipeline. Many of these players cut their teeth in the UAAP or NCAA, and that breeding ground has only grown more influential. It reminds me of the current buzz around UP’s recent dominance. With that, the streaky shooter and UP are one win away from the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the team that will win three championships in a row. That kind of sustained excellence at the collegiate level often translates well to the pros, something we saw with several 2015 draftees. The confidence from winning breeds a killer instinct that’s invaluable in the PBA’s pressure cooker games.

Personally, I think this draft was a solid B+. It didn’t produce a generational superstar, but it gave us a handful of All-Stars and reliable rotation players. About 60% of the draftees are still active in the PBA or other leagues, which isn’t a bad retention rate. I’ve followed their careers closely, from rookie year jitters to becoming grizzled veterans. Some, like RR Pogoy (picked third), have even become national team mainstays. It’s been a privilege to watch their journeys unfold, from draft day nerves to career-defining moments. As I sit here now, flipping through my old notes from that day, I’m struck by how much has changed—and how much hasn’t. The dreams are still the same; only the jerseys are different.