The Complete PBA Draft 2021 List: Players, Teams, and Selection Order

I still remember sitting in my living room last May, watching the PBA Draft unfold with that particular mix of professional curiosity and genuine fan excitement that I’ve cultivated over years covering basketball. The 2021 PBA Draft wasn't just another selection event; it felt like a pivotal moment of recalibration for the league, a deep infusion of new talent after the strange, constrained season prior. The complete PBA Draft 2021 list tells a story of strategic gambles, franchise-altering picks, and the raw hope that each name represents. As I tracked the selection order, I couldn't help but draw a parallel to a concept I'd recently observed in volleyball, something a player had charmingly described as their 'baklaan' brand of play—a style rooted in camaraderie, lightness, and a relaxed, almost joyful chemistry that paradoxically leads to serious results. This idea of a relaxed, cohesive unit achieving more kept popping into my mind as I analyzed the draft's outcomes, because ultimately, a draft isn't just about collecting talent; it's about building a team that clicks.

The first round was, as expected, where the foundations for the future were laid. Terrafirma, holding the coveted first overall pick, made the safe, logical choice in Joshua Munzon. Anyone who had followed his career knew he was a scoring machine, and for a franchise looking to establish a new identity, he was a cornerstone. But what fascinated me more was the second pick. NorthPort selecting Jamie Malonzo was a move I absolutely loved. It was a bet on athleticism, versatility, and upside—a modern forward for the modern PBA. I remember thinking at the time that this was the kind of pick that could look like a steal in a few years, and his subsequent performances have only reinforced that feeling. Then came the third pick, and this is where the team-building philosophy really starts to show. NLEX chose Calvin Oftana, the NCAA MVP. He wasn't just a skilled player; he was a proven winner, a guy who knew how to lead and make his teammates better. It reminded me of that 'baklaan' volleyball concept—it’s not just about the star; it's about bringing in someone whose personality and style can relax the environment, foster trust, and elevate everyone's game. Oftana struck me as that kind of player.

As the draft progressed into the later first round and the second round, the strategy shifted from franchise players to crucial role players. This is often where championship teams are quietly built. Magnolia choosing Mikey Williams at fourth was a statement of intent—they wanted explosive offense, and they got it. But look at the pick right after: Alaska selecting Ben Adamos. A big man who could run the floor and stretch the floor? That was a brilliant, forward-thinking selection for a team needing to modernize its frontcourt. I have a soft spot for these kinds of picks, the ones that aren't always headline-grabbers but fill a specific, critical need. It’s like completing a puzzle; you need the right shapes, not just the biggest pieces. The second round was a treasure trove of potential gems. Rain or Shine picking Santi Santillan at 9th overall felt like a heist. He was a player I had my eye on for a while, a relentless worker on the boards, exactly the kind of energy guy that contending teams crave. And then there was Larry Muyang going to Phoenix. I’ll admit, I was a bit surprised he lasted that long. His physicality and motor are exactly what you want from a second-round pick—a player who can come in and change the game's energy without needing plays called for him.

Reflecting on the entire PBA Draft 2021 list now, with the benefit of a little hindsight, the narrative that emerges is one of teams not just drafting players, but drafting personalities and fits. The selection order wasn't just a sequence of names; it was a blueprint for culture. When you look at a team like NLEX integrating Oftana, or the chemistry starting to brew at NorthPort with Malonzo, it echoes that 'baklaan' principle from volleyball. It’s about creating an environment where players aren't tight, where they enjoy the game and each other's company. That relaxed synergy is what transforms a group of talented individuals into a formidable team. We’ve seen it time and again—the most talented teams on paper don't always win; it's the teams that play best together that do. From my perspective, the teams that prioritized this intangible element of 'fit' in their 2021 draft strategy are the ones that will see the most sustainable success. The 2021 draft class, with its depth and diversity of skills, provided a unique opportunity to do just that, and it’s been a genuine pleasure watching these players begin to shape the future of the PBA.