Our Complete 2019 PBA Mock Draft Predictions and Player Analysis Guide

As I sit down to map out my complete 2019 PBA mock draft predictions, I can't help but reflect on how the recent developments in the MPBL have been shaping the professional basketball landscape here in the Philippines. Just last night, I watched the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters continue their impressive recovery with that 74-68 victory over Binan Tatak Gel, following Basilan Starhorse's solid 84-70 conquest of Bataan in the opener. These games aren't just entertaining—they're proving grounds where future PBA stars are honing their skills right before our eyes. Having followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed this sixth sense for spotting talent that's ready to make the jump, and this year's draft class has me particularly excited.

The way I see it, the MPBL performances are giving us crucial data points that many casual observers might miss. When I analyze players like those from the Tanduay Rum Masters who showed such composure in their recent win, I'm looking beyond the basic stats—though let me throw some numbers at you: Batangas shot 48% from the field while holding Binan to just 36%, and that defensive intensity is exactly what PBA coaches are scouting for. In my professional opinion, at least three players from that Batangas squad could hear their names called in the first two rounds. There's this particular guard—I won't name names yet—whose decision-making in crunch time reminded me of a young Jimmy Alapag, and I've got him moving up my draft board significantly after last night's performance.

Now, let's talk about my actual predictions for the first round. I've been maintaining my draft board since the collegiate season ended, and it's undergone some dramatic shifts based on these preseason performances. My number one spot has been locked in for months—I'm convinced that this 6'6" forward from a UAAP school has franchise player written all over him, though I've got a gut feeling that the second pick could go to one of those Basilan players who dominated in their 84-70 win. What impressed me most about Basilan's victory was their ball movement—recording 24 assists on 32 made field goals—and that unselfish style translates perfectly to the PBA game. I've spoken with several team executives who've confirmed my suspicion that they're higher on MPBL standouts than the public realizes.

Where my analysis might differ from some mainstream draft experts is how I weigh these recent performances against longer track records. Some analysts get too caught up in collegiate reputations, but having been in this business through multiple draft cycles, I've learned that how a player performs when they're playing for paycheck prospects rather than school pride tells you everything about their professional potential. The Tanduay Rum Masters' comeback story—winning seven of their last eight after a slow start—shows me which players have the mental toughness to handle the PBA grind. There's this power forward who grabbed 14 rebounds in that Binan game while playing through what appeared to be a minor ankle sprain, and that's the kind of toughness that gets you drafted higher than your raw talent might suggest.

Looking at team needs across the PBA, I'm predicting at least four trades in the first round alone. The team holding the third pick has been quietly scouting those Batangas games, and I wouldn't be surprised if they reach for a player who isn't on many radars. Personally, I think that would be a mistake—there's a shooting guard from Basilan who dropped 22 points in their win over Bataan who would be a perfect fit for their system, but what do I know? I've been wrong before, like that time in 2015 when I had this can't-miss prospect going in the top three and he slipped to seventh. Still, that's what makes the draft so fascinating—the surprises are what we remember years later.

As we approach draft day, I'm keeping a particularly close eye on how the combine performances might shake up my predictions. The measurement session alone could make or break several prospects, especially those undersized big men who dominated in the MPBL but might struggle against the PBA's more physical centers. I've got this theory that at least two second-round picks from this draft will become All-Stars within five years—it happens every time, and the smart teams are already identifying those diamonds in the rough. The team that drafted my biggest sleeper pick back in 2014 still thanks me for that recommendation, though I can't take credit for their development program.

What ultimately separates a good mock draft from a great one is understanding the intangible factors—team preferences, personality fits, and that mysterious "eye test" that still matters more than analytics types would admit. When I watch the tape from that Batangas versus Binan game, I'm not just counting statistics—I'm watching how players interact during timeouts, how they respond to adversity, whether they make the extra pass when the game is on the line. Those moments reveal character, and character determines who thrives in the PBA. My final mock draft has some controversial placements that I'm sure will generate discussion, but that's half the fun of this process. The other half is watching these young men achieve their dreams and hopefully proving my predictions right—or delightfully wrong, because nothing would make me happier than seeing an unheralded player from either of those MPBL games we discussed become the next Philippine basketball superstar.