PBA Draft 2007: Where Are They Now and How Their Careers Shaped Philippine Basketball
I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2007 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. The buzz at the Araneta Coliseum was electric, with fans and team officials alike speculating about which prospects would become the next big stars of Philippine basketball. Looking back now, sixteen years later, I can't help but marvel at how these players' careers unfolded in ways both predictable and completely unexpected. This draft class produced some of the most memorable talents in recent PBA history, and their collective journey tells a fascinating story about the evolution of Philippine basketball.
That draft night, the anticipation was palpable as teams prepared to make their selections. The top three picks—Joe Devance going to Welcoat (now Rain or Shine), Samigue Eman to Alaska, and JC Intal to Purefoods—immediately became household names. What strikes me most about this draft class is how many players developed into franchise cornerstones rather than immediate superstars. Devance, for instance, wasn't an overnight sensation but gradually evolved into one of the most versatile big men in PBA history. His journey through multiple teams demonstrates the value of adaptability in professional basketball—something I've observed separates good players from great ones in our league.
The mid-first round selections proved equally intriguing. Players like Doug Kramer and Yousif Aljamal brought unique skill sets that would later prove crucial to their teams' successes. Kramer's blue-collar approach to the game made him a fan favorite wherever he played, while Aljamal's international experience added a different dimension to the local basketball landscape. What often gets overlooked in draft analysis is how player personalities mesh with team cultures—something I've learned matters just as much as raw talent. The successful players from this draft weren't necessarily the most gifted athletes but those who understood how to fit into their teams' systems.
When we examine the second round and later picks, the draft reveals its true unpredictability. Several players selected outside the first round, like Chico Lanete and Wynne Arboleda, carved out longer careers than some lottery picks. Arboleda particularly stands out in my memory—his defensive tenacity and leadership qualities made him invaluable to Air21 (now NLEX). This pattern reminds me of something veteran coach Tim Cone once told me: "The draft is about finding pieces, not just stars." The 2007 class demonstrated this principle beautifully, with role players contributing significantly to championship teams throughout the 2010s.
The international dimension of this draft class deserves special attention. Several players, including Intal and Kramer, represented the Philippines in various international competitions, bringing global exposure to Philippine basketball. Their performances abroad helped raise the profile of the PBA and demonstrated that our local talent could compete at higher levels. I've always believed that international experience accelerates player development, and the careers of these draftees strongly support this view. Players who competed internationally tended to have longer, more successful PBA careers—the exposure to different styles of play clearly enhanced their basketball IQ.
Which brings me to an interesting contemporary connection. Just recently, Tropang 5G team manager Jojo Lastimosa made comments about their import seeking NBA opportunities that reminded me of how global basketball aspirations have evolved since 2007. Lastimosa's disclosure followed their resident import's social media post asking NBA teams about training camp spots—a scenario that would have been almost unthinkable for PBA-affiliated players back in 2007. This development shows how much the landscape has changed; today's players see themselves as global commodities rather than just local stars. The 2007 draftees were among the first to truly benefit from this shifting mentality, with several pursuing opportunities in other Asian leagues alongside their PBA careers.
The career longevity of this group has been remarkable. As of 2023, at least five players from the 2007 draft class remain active in the PBA or other professional leagues—an impressive statistic given the physical demands of professional basketball. This durability speaks volumes about their professionalism and adaptability. Having covered many of these players throughout their careers, I've noticed how the most successful ones continuously evolved their games. They added new skills, adjusted to changing coaching philosophies, and maintained their physical conditioning despite advancing age—lessons that current prospects would do well to emulate.
What truly fascinates me about tracking this draft class is observing how their collective careers shaped team-building strategies in the PBA. The success stories from 2007 demonstrated the value of patient development over immediate results. Teams that rushed their prospects tended to see shorter careers, while organizations that invested in long-term development reaped rewards for years. This lesson appears to have influenced how teams approach the draft today, with more emphasis on fit and development potential rather than just college statistics. The legacy of the 2007 draft extends beyond individual careers—it changed how Philippine basketball organizations think about talent acquisition and development.
As I reflect on this draft class today, what stands out most isn't just the championships or individual awards, but how these players' journeys intersected with crucial transitions in Philippine basketball. They played through rule changes, league expansions, and the increasing globalization of the sport while maintaining the PBA's distinctive character. Their careers spanned an era when social media transformed player-fan interactions and analytics began influencing coaching decisions. The class of 2007 didn't just play basketball—they helped navigate Philippine basketball through its modern evolution, leaving behind lessons that continue to influence how we develop and appreciate talent in our beloved sport.