Complete PBA 2017 Draft List: Player Selections and Team Analysis

I still remember the excitement buzzing through the sports community back in 2017 when the PBA draft unfolded. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous drafts, but the 2017 edition felt particularly special because it represented a crucial turning point for several franchises. The energy surrounding that year's selections wasn't just about raw talent—it was about strategic team building and the fascinating intersection of local pride and international appeal. I recall watching the proceedings with keen interest, noting how teams balanced immediate needs with long-term visions, something that's always fascinated me about roster construction in professional basketball.

When Christian Standhardinger's name was called first overall by the San Miguel Beermen, it felt both predictable and revolutionary. Standing at 6'8" with an impressive international resume, he was arguably the most NBA-ready prospect in the draft. The Beermen, already stacked with veterans like June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos, made what I considered a brilliant move—securing a dominant big man who could either complement their existing core or serve as valuable trade capital. What many casual observers might not realize is that drafting isn't just about selecting the best player available; it's about understanding your team's specific ecosystem. San Miguel's management demonstrated exactly that kind of sophisticated thinking, though I've always wondered if they might have been better served trading down for multiple assets given their already championship-caliber roster.

The second pick brought another intriguing storyline as the Kia Picanto (now TerraFirma Dyip) selected Raymar Jose. This selection puzzled me at the time—not because Jose lacked talent, but because Kia's rebuilding situation seemed to call for a different approach. Jose was a solid collegiate performer from FEU, averaging around 12.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in his final UAAP season, but I felt they needed more offensive firepower. What fascinates me about these mid-lottery picks is how they reveal a team's philosophical direction. Kia appeared to prioritize toughness and rebounding, which are valuable traits, but in today's pace-and-space PBA, I would have leaned toward a more versatile big man who could stretch the floor.

Then came the third selection where GlobalPort (now NorthPort) picked Robbie Herndon, a move that surprised many analysts including myself. Herndon had shown flashes of brilliance in the D-League, but taking him this high felt like a reach compared to more proven talents still available. This is where my perspective as a long-time observer comes into play—I believe teams sometimes fall in love with potential over production, and while Herndon possessed nice athleticism, his college statistics at San Francisco State (about 9.3 points per game) didn't scream lottery pick to me. GlobalPort's decision reflected either exceptional scouting insight or questionable evaluation—only time would tell.

The draft's middle rounds revealed several gems that I found particularly exciting. Jio Jalalon slipping to Star Hotshots (now Magnolia) at 8th overall was, in my opinion, the steal of the draft. Having watched Jalalon dominate in the NCAA with Arellano University, where he posted triple-double threats nearly every game, his playmaking and defensive intensity seemed perfectly suited for the PBA's faster pace. What separates good drafts from great ones is finding value outside the top picks, and Jalalon's subsequent career development has validated my initial enthusiasm about this selection. Similarly, LA Revilla going to Phoenix at 13th overall represented another savvy pick—his leadership and basketball IQ made him one of my personal favorites to outperform his draft position.

What made the 2017 draft particularly memorable wasn't just the player selections but the broader context of Filipino basketball fandom. I've always been fascinated by how PBA teams navigate the complex relationship between local talent development and international influences. The reference to "Siyempre, may USA, mga ganyan, favorite din yun ng mga Pinoy, so sana supportahan nila kami" perfectly captures this dynamic—Filipino fans naturally gravitate toward American-style basketball and players with that background, yet there's always this underlying hope that they'll support homegrown talent too. This tension influences drafting strategy more than people realize. Teams must balance selecting players who connect with local fans while still pursuing the best available talent, regardless of background. In the 2017 draft, we saw this play out with several Fil-foreign picks alongside traditional homegrown prospects.

Looking back at the complete draft list now, what strikes me is how these selections have shaped the current PBA landscape. Standhardinger has developed into exactly the dominant force I predicted, though his journey through trades to NorthPort created ripple effects across the league. Meanwhile, later picks like Sidney Onwubere (selected 14th by Rain or Shine) have carved out important rotational roles that exceeded my initial expectations. The draft's true success can't be measured immediately—it requires years of observation to properly evaluate. From my vantage point, the 2017 class has produced about 4-5 legitimate starters and several quality rotation players, which constitutes a solid if unspectacular haul.

The business side of these decisions often goes underappreciated by fans. When teams select players, they're not just adding basketball talent—they're making financial investments and marketing calculations. A player like Standhardinger brought not only interior scoring but additional media attention and potential jersey sales. Meanwhile, drafting local favorites like Jalalon helped Magnolia strengthen their connection with traditional Filipino basketball fans. These considerations might not appear in box scores, but from my experience covering league operations, they significantly influence front office decisions during drafts.

Reflecting on the 2017 PBA draft five years later, I'm struck by how these selections continue to influence team trajectories today. The successful picks have become cornerstones, while the misses have set franchises back in their development timelines. What I take away from analyzing this draft class is that successful team building requires both conviction in your evaluations and flexibility in your planning. The teams that have benefited most from this draft—San Miguel, Magnolia, and to some extent NorthPort—demonstrated precisely this balance. Meanwhile, organizations that reached for potential over production or misjudged their roster needs have found themselves back in the lottery in subsequent years. The 2017 draft serves as a fascinating case study in talent evaluation, team construction, and the delicate art of balancing immediate needs with long-term vision in professional basketball.