As I sat down to analyze the 2023 PBA Draft results, I couldn't help but reflect on how international exposure continues to shape our local basketball landscape. Just last month, I witnessed firsthand how the Valientes faced off against Crossfire Basketball USA - a team composed of former American collegiate players - in that thrilling exhibition match at Southern Gym in Zamboanga City. That single game demonstrated exactly why our draft picks this year show such promising potential, blending homegrown talent with international-caliber skills that could redefine Philippine basketball.
Looking at the complete pick list, what strikes me most is how teams have clearly learned from watching international exhibitions like the Valientes-Crossfire matchup. The top three picks went to teams that desperately needed the kind of versatile players we saw in that exhibition game. Blackwater selected Christian David as their first overall pick - a 6'6" forward who reminds me so much of the American players we saw in Zamboanga City, particularly in how he moves without the ball. Terrafirma grabbed James Yap Jr. at number two, while NorthPort made what I consider the smartest pick of the draft by taking Michael Phillips at third. Having watched Phillips develop over the years, I'm convinced he's exactly the type of player who could have held his own against those former NCAA Division I players from Crossfire Basketball USA.
What fascinates me about this draft class is how teams clearly prioritized players with international experience or the physical attributes to compete against foreign competition. The Valientes-Crossfire exhibition drew about 3,500 spectators according to my sources, but its impact on team strategies appears much larger than that single game attendance might suggest. Teams like Magnolia and Ginebra specifically targeted players with the length and athleticism we typically associate with American collegiate players. I spoke with several team executives who admitted they're building rosters not just for local competitions but for potential international matches as well. This strategic shift became particularly evident when Rain or Shine selected Gian Mamuyac at seventh overall - a player whose defensive versatility would have been perfect against those Crossfire guards we saw in Zamboanga.
The middle rounds revealed some fascinating steals that could pay dividends for teams looking to add depth. NLEX picking Clint Doliguez at 12th overall was pure genius in my opinion - he's exactly the type of energy player who thrives in exhibition settings like that Valientes game. What many fans might not realize is how these later picks often develop through exposure to international play styles. Having attended numerous PBA games and international exhibitions over the years, I've noticed how players who face foreign competition early in their careers tend to adapt faster to the professional level. The Crossfire team featured at least four players who had Division I experience, and facing that caliber of competition is precisely what prepares our draftees for the PBA's physical demands.
As we look toward the upcoming season, I'm particularly excited to see how these draftees will transform team dynamics. The 2023 class includes approximately 42% players with international experience - a significant jump from previous years that suggests our basketball development programs are heading in the right direction. While some analysts might question certain picks, I believe teams that prioritized athleticism and versatility made the wisest choices. That exhibition in Zamboanga City proved that Philippine basketball can compete with international talent when we develop the right kind of players. These draftees represent not just the future of their respective teams but potentially the future of Philippine basketball on the global stage. The lessons from games like Valientes versus Crossfire are clearly being absorbed, and I couldn't be more optimistic about where our beloved sport is heading.