Who Made the Cut in the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft? Full Results Revealed

I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Philippine basketball community when the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft results were finally announced. As someone who’s followed the league for years, draft day always feels like Christmas morning—you never quite know which teams will land the next big star. That year was particularly special because the pool was deep with promising talent, and franchises were clearly thinking long-term about their roster construction. The first round saw some predictable picks but also a few surprises that had analysts like me scrambling to update our projections. What struck me most was how teams balanced immediate needs against future potential, a delicate dance that doesn’t always pay off.

When I look back at who made the cut, names like Troy Rosario and Moala Tautuaa immediately come to mind—both were top picks for a reason. Rosario went first overall to Tropang TNT, and honestly, I thought that was a solid choice given his versatility and athleticism. But what really caught my attention was the second round, where gems often hide in plain sight. That’s where we saw players like Chris Newsome, who’s since become a cornerstone for Meralco, proving that draft position isn’t everything. I’ve always believed that the middle rounds separate the great scouting teams from the average ones, and 2015 was no exception. Teams like Rain or Shine seemed to have a knack for finding value where others overlooked it.

One storyline that stood out to me was CJ Perez’s journey. Though he wasn’t part of this draft—he entered later in 2018—his mindset echoes what many rookies must have felt back then. I recall Perez once saying, “I hope bago mag-first game namin, makahabol ako. Ngayon talaga, nagre-rehab pa at strengthening,” which translates to his hope of catching up before his first game while focusing on rehab and strengthening. That quote resonates because it reflects the pressure these young athletes face: the race to get physically and mentally ready, often while recovering from injuries or adjusting to the pros. In 2015, I imagine several draftees shared that sentiment, juggling excitement with the grueling reality of preparation.

Digging into the numbers, the draft included around 45 picks in total, with roughly 20 players eventually signing contracts—a success rate that’s pretty standard for the PBA. I’ve always been fascinated by how teams assess risk here; for instance, selecting a player with injury concerns might pay off if they have high upside, but it’s a gamble. In my view, the 2015 rookie draft class had a good mix of safe bets and high-reward projects. Some guys were ready to contribute right away, while others, like those Perez alluded to, needed time to strengthen and adapt. That balance is what makes following the PBA so rewarding—you get to watch these stories unfold over seasons.

From a personal perspective, I think the 2015 draft was one of the better ones in recent memory, though it didn’t have the same hype as, say, the 2012 class. What I loved was seeing underdogs rise, like third-round picks who eventually carved out meaningful roles. It’s a reminder that talent evaluation isn’t just about stats; it’s about fit, culture, and sometimes plain luck. As a fan, I’ll admit I had my favorites—I was rooting for certain players to land in systems that suited their skills, and it was satisfying when that happened. Reflecting on it now, the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft wasn’t just about who made the cut; it was about laying the foundation for the league’s future, and in many ways, it delivered.