Badminton How To Play

I still remember sitting in front of the TV that Sunday evening, cold drink in one hand and draft predictions scribbled on a napkin in the other. The 2015 PBA Draft was about to begin, and as someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I could feel the electricity in the air even through the screen. This wasn't just any draft—this was the year when we'd see if those MPBL stars who'd been tearing up the local scene could make the jump to the big leagues. You know, one of the most prolific scorers in the MPBL was looking to make it to the PBA this season, and everyone was wondering if his scoring prowess would translate to the professional level.

When the first pick was announced, my friend Carlos—who thinks he knows everything about basketball—nearly spilled his beer. Talk N Text Tropang Texters (now TNT Tropang Giga) selected Moala Tautuaa as the number one overall pick, and honestly, I had mixed feelings about this choice. Don't get me wrong, Tautuaa was a solid player, but I personally thought Troy Rosario would have been the better choice for them. See, this is where team needs versus best available player really comes into play. Tautuaa stood at 6'6" with incredible athleticism, but Rosario had that modern basketball skillset—could stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and had a smoother shooting stroke. The Texters went with the traditional big man, and while it made sense for their system, I remember thinking they might regret passing on Rosario's versatility.

The drama really started when Rain or Shine picked Maverick Ahanmisi at number three. This was a classic case of a team sticking to their identity—Rain or Shine has always valued guards who can create their own shots, and Ahanmisi fit that mold perfectly. What fascinated me though was watching how different teams approached this draft compared to previous years. Teams weren't just looking at college credentials anymore—they were seriously considering players' performances in other leagues like the MPBL. That prolific MPBL scorer I mentioned earlier? Teams were actually sending scouts to MPBL games, something that would have been rare just a few years before. The landscape was changing, and I loved seeing how Philippine basketball was evolving.

Then came what I consider the steal of the draft—Norwood falling to Rain or Shine at number seven. I literally stood up from my couch when this happened. How did other teams let him slip? The guy was 6'5" with guard skills, could defend multiple positions, and had that unteachable basketball IQ. This is where I think some GMs outsmarted themselves—sometimes the obvious choice is the right one, but they overcomplicate things looking for hidden gems. Meanwhile, Rain or Shine just sat there and took the best player available. Smart franchises operate that way—they don't get cute, they just take talent.

The second round had its own share of interesting picks that really showed how teams value different attributes. Blackwater selected Almond Vosotros—now here's a player whose journey I've followed closely. He wasn't the biggest or most athletic guy on the court, but man, that kid could shoot lights out. I've always had a soft spot for undersized guards who prove everyone wrong through sheer skill and determination. What surprised me was that he lasted until the second round—in my opinion, his shooting alone should have made him a first-round talent. But that's the draft for you—different teams have different priorities, different systems to fit into.

What struck me most about that 2015 draft class was how it reflected the changing philosophy in Philippine basketball. Teams were starting to prioritize versatility over specialization—they wanted bigs who could handle the ball and guards who could rebound. The successful picks from that draft, the ones who've had lasting careers, are exactly those versatile players. The ones who struggled were often the specialists who couldn't adapt when their specific skill wasn't needed. I've noticed this trend continues today—the game is evolving toward positionless basketball, and the 2015 draft was really the beginning of that shift in the PBA.

Looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, I'd say about 60% of the first-round picks lived up to their draft position. That's actually not bad—the NBA draft success rate is roughly similar. The real winners that night were teams that balanced immediate needs with long-term planning. Rain or Shine comes to mind again—they picked players who fit their system but also had upside to develop. Meanwhile, teams that reached for specific needs often ended up disappointed a couple of years down the line. The draft is as much about patience and development as it is about initial talent evaluation.

That MPBL scorer I mentioned at the beginning? He didn't get drafted that night. But you know what's interesting? His journey didn't end there. He kept grinding, kept improving, and eventually found his way to the PBA a couple of years later through free agency. That's the thing about the draft—it's not the final word on a player's career, just the beginning of their professional journey. Some first-round picks fade away, while undrafted players become stars. The 2015 draft gave us plenty of both stories, and that's what makes following basketball so compelling year after year. The draft isn't just about who gets picked where—it's about dreams realized, expectations shattered, and the beautiful unpredictability of sports.