I still remember sitting in front of my screen that fateful December evening, watching the virtual proceedings of the 2020 PBA Draft unfold. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a sixth sense for draft dynamics, but even I couldn't predict how dramatically teams would reshape their futures that night. The draft mechanism in professional basketball fascinates me—it's like watching a complex martial arts match where initial strategies often need mid-fight adjustments. I'm reminded of that grappling analogy from mixed martial arts where "The Machine initially looked for an arm-triangle, but when that didn't work he transitioned to a north-south position and that's when Zoltsetseg started softening up." That's exactly what happened with several teams during this draft—they entered with one strategy but had to pivot when their preferred options disappeared.
Terrafirma's selection of Joshua Munzon as the first overall pick didn't surprise me at all. Having watched his development in the PBA D-League and overseas, I'd been telling colleagues for months that his athleticism and scoring versatility made him the consensus top prospect. At 6'4" with a wingspan measuring approximately 6'8", his physical tools were simply too compelling to pass up. What interested me more was how NorthPort would respond at number two. When they selected Jamie Malonzo, I have to admit I raised an eyebrow—not because he lacks talent (his athleticism is absolutely electrifying), but because I had personally projected Allyn Bulanadi to fit their needs better. Malonzo's selection represented that "north-south transition" moment—when teams abandon their initial plans for unexpected opportunities.
The most fascinating strategic pivot came from the Alaska Aces, who held the third and fourth picks. Their decision to draft Mikey Williams and then immediately trade him to TNT for future considerations felt like a masterclass in asset management. In my professional assessment, this move demonstrated how teams increasingly value draft capital almost as much as players themselves. Williams is undoubtedly talented—his scoring averages in the ASEAN Basketball League hovered around 18.7 points per game—but Alaska recognized that his value on the trade market might exceed his value on their roster. This kind of sophisticated draft strategy reminds me how far the PBA has evolved from simply selecting the best available player.
As we moved into the middle of the first round, I noticed teams beginning to prioritize specific needs over pure talent evaluation. Barangay Ginebra's selection of Brian Enriquez at eighth overall struck me as particularly insightful. Having studied his college footage extensively, I can tell you his basketball IQ is off the charts—he reads defensive rotations like a seasoned point guard despite his forward position. Meanwhile, Magnolia's choice of Alvin Capobres at number eleven felt like reaching to me personally. Nothing against the kid—he's got heart and defensive intensity—but I had him projected as a late second-rounder based on his collegiate statistics of just 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
The second round provided some of the draft's biggest steals in my professional opinion. Larry Muyang falling to Phoenix at seventeenth overall was criminal—I'd watched him dominate the NCAA paint for years and had him as a surefire first-round talent. His rebounding percentages in college were consistently above 15%, which translates well to the professional level. Meanwhile, NLEX picking David Murrell at twentieth felt like finding money in an old jacket pocket—he's the kind of versatile defender who can guard three positions, something that's becoming increasingly valuable in today's positionless basketball.
What struck me most about this draft class was how teams balanced immediate needs against long-term development. The pandemic context made evaluation unusually challenging—with limited collegiate seasons and no combine, teams were essentially drafting based on incomplete data. I spoke with several scouts who admitted they had to rely more heavily on previous evaluations than they would have preferred. This led to some fascinating reaches and surprising falls throughout the evening. Rain or Shine's selection of Andrei Caracut at fifteenth overall exemplified this—they clearly valued his championship experience with La Salle over his modest statistical production.
As I reflect on the complete draft results now, several patterns emerge that will interest basketball analysts. Teams clearly prioritized wings with defensive versatility—seven of the first twelve picks fit this profile. The traditional big man continues to be devalued, with only three true centers selected in the entire draft. The average age of draftees was 24.7 years, slightly younger than previous years, suggesting teams are increasingly willing to invest in development. From my perspective, the teams that approached the draft with flexibility—those willing to transition from their "arm-triangle" to "north-south" when circumstances demanded—came away with the most value. Terrafirma got their franchise player, Alaska accumulated future assets, and Ginebra found a rotation piece who fits their system perfectly. The 2020 PBA Draft will be remembered not just for the players selected, but for how front offices demonstrated strategic sophistication that would make even seasoned martial artists proud.
