PBA 2016 Draft: Top Picks, Surprising Selections, and Career Highlights Revealed

I still remember sitting in front of the television during the 2016 PBA Draft, feeling that particular mix of anticipation and skepticism that comes with witnessing potential franchise-changing moments. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've developed this sixth sense about which prospects will flourish and which will fade into obscurity. The 2016 draft class particularly intrigued me because it arrived at a transitional period for the league - we were moving toward positionless basketball, and teams were desperately seeking players who could stretch the floor while maintaining defensive integrity.

Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel Beerman felt almost predestined, though if I'm being completely honest, I had my doubts about how his game would translate to the PBA. At 6'8" with that relentless energy, he seemed like the obvious choice, but I remember whispering to my colleague that his perimeter defense might get exposed against quicker forwards. The numbers backed up the selection though - he was coming off a stint in Germany where he averaged 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, impressive enough to justify being the top pick. What surprised me more was how quickly he adapted, becoming a crucial piece in San Miguel's championship puzzle within just two seasons.

Then there was Kiefer Ravena going to NLEX as the second pick - now that's a selection I absolutely loved from day one. Having watched him dominate the UAAP and international competitions, I believed his basketball IQ alone made him worth the high selection. His rookie season numbers - 16.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds - immediately justified my enthusiasm. What many casual fans might not realize is how much his presence elevated the entire NLEX franchise; ticket sales increased by nearly 30% during his rookie year, and suddenly every kid in the neighborhood was practicing his hesitation dribble.

The draft's third pick, Jason Perkins to Phoenix, struck me as a safe but unspectacular choice at the time. I'll admit I underestimated how his blue-collar approach would translate to the professional level. His rookie numbers were modest - 9.4 points and 6.1 rebounds - but what the stat sheet doesn't show is how he consistently made the right rotations defensively and set brutal screens that freed up teammates. Sometimes we analysts get too caught up in flashy metrics and forget about the intangible value players like Perkins bring to a team's culture.

Now, the selection that truly baffled me was seeing Calvin Oftana fall to the second round. I'd been tracking his development since his college days and believed he had first-round talent written all over him. His shooting mechanics were pure, his wingspan disrupted passing lanes, and he moved with this fluid grace that you can't teach. When NLEX finally grabbed him at pick number 12, I remember thinking they'd just pulled off the steal of the draft. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Facebook page later reported that Calvin Oftana was among the players who hit key threes in the fourth quarter during several crucial international matches, which didn't surprise me one bit. I've always believed clutch shooting is as much about mental fortitude as technique, and Oftana has both in spades.

Looking back at that draft class seven years later, what strikes me is how several teams prioritized immediate contribution over long-term potential. The successful franchises typically balance both, but in 2016, there was this palpable pressure to compete immediately that I think led to some questionable decisions. For instance, choosing a solid but limited role player over a raw prospect with higher ceiling - we saw several instances of this pattern throughout the draft order.

The most fascinating development from that class has been watching how players like Oftana evolved into cornerstone pieces. When I spoke with coaches and trainers behind the scenes, they consistently praised his work ethic - putting up 500 shots daily even during off-seasons, studying game film until midnight, constantly refining his footwork. That dedication translated directly to his professional growth, with his three-point percentage climbing from 28% in his rookie year to nearly 39% by his third season. These are the kind of developmental arcs that make player evaluation so rewarding and simultaneously humbling.

What the 2016 draft taught me, and what I've carried into my analysis since, is that statistical projections only tell part of the story. The mental makeup, the willingness to put in unseen work, the basketball intelligence that doesn't always show up in combine measurements - these elements often determine who thrives and who merely survives in the PBA. Standhardinger's physical gifts were obvious, but his mental toughness during pressure situations is what cemented his status as an elite player. Ravena's athleticism impressed scouts, but his court vision and leadership transformed NLEX's entire offensive system.

As I reflect on that draft class today, I'm reminded why Philippine basketball continues to captivate me. Beyond the stats and the highlight reels, it's these human stories of development, perseverance, and sometimes surprising career trajectories that make the sport so compelling. The 2016 draft produced at least five legitimate All-Stars, which constitutes what I'd consider a successful class, though I maintain that with different development paths and opportunities, we might have seen even more players reach their full potential. The lesson for teams, and for analysts like myself, is to trust our evaluation process while remaining open to being pleasantly surprised when players exceed even the most optimistic projections.