As I sat down to analyze the 2023 PBA Draft results, I couldn't help but reflect on how international exposure continues to shape Filipino basketball talent. Just last month, I watched the Valientes face Crossfire Basketball USA - that exhibition match at Southern gym in Barangay Divisoria featured exactly the kind of cross-cultural competition that prepares players for the PBA stage. The way local teams like Valientes handle visiting squads composed of former American collegiate players reveals so much about the development pathway for our draft prospects.
Looking at the first round selections, I've got to say Terrafirma's decision to pick Stephen Holt first overall surprised me more than it probably should have. At 31 years old, he brings that precious international experience we saw in action during the Valientes-Crossfire exhibition, but I would have preferred seeing them go for younger talent. The Dyip secured Holt alongside the 9th pick, which they used on Taylor Miller - that's 2 out of their 3 total picks dedicated to guards, which makes me question their frontcourt strategy moving forward. Meanwhile, Blackwater's selection of Christian David at second overall shows they're thinking long-term, banking on his potential rather than immediate impact.
What fascinates me about this draft class is how many players have that international flavor we witnessed during the Valientes game against Crossfire Basketball USA. When you see how our local teams handle those former American collegiate players, you understand why PBA teams value global exposure. Rain or Shine made what I consider the smartest move of the draft by snagging Luis Villegas and Keith Datu with back-to-back picks at 3rd and 4th. Both big men bring that physicality you need against international competition, and I'd bet money they'll develop into one of the most formidable frontcourt duos in the league within two seasons.
The middle rounds saw some fascinating steals - NLEX picking Richie Rodger at 5th could be the bargain of the draft if his shooting translates to the PBA. NorthPort's selection of Cade Flores at 6th gives them much-needed athleticism, while Magnolia's choice of Brandon Bates at 7th addresses their defensive needs perfectly. What struck me during my analysis was how teams clearly learned from watching exhibitions like the Valientes-Crossfire matchup - they're prioritizing versatile players who can handle different styles of play.
As we move to the later picks, I've got to give credit to Phoenix for their strategic approach. Their selection of Raffy Verano at 8th and then Kenneth Tuffin at 10th shows they're building a specific identity - both players have that two-way capability that's becoming increasingly valuable. Meanwhile, Meralco's pick of Peter Alfaro at 11th feels like a safe choice when they could have taken a bigger risk. The second round brought some interesting developmental prospects, with San Miguel picking Sheyri Longal at 13th being my personal favorite under-the-radar selection.
Reflecting on the complete draft results, what stands out to me is how teams are clearly preparing for more international competitions. That Valientes versus Crossfire Basketball USA exhibition at Southern gym in Zamboanga City wasn't just another game - it represented the kind of basketball landscape PBA teams are now building for. The league is clearly valuing players who can adapt to different styles, which explains why we saw fewer pure specialists and more versatile athletes selected. From my perspective, Rain or Shine and Phoenix had the strongest drafts, while Terrafirma's approach leaves me with questions. The true test will come when these rookies face the kind of international competition we saw in that exhibition match - that's when we'll know which teams truly drafted wisely.