2015 PBA Draft Results Revealed: Complete Team Picks and Player Analysis

I still remember the buzz in the Smart Araneta Coliseum on that August Sunday in 2015—the air thick with anticipation as PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa stepped onto the stage. The 2015 PBA Draft wasn't just another selection process; it felt like a turning point for several franchises, with teams making calculated gambles that would define their trajectories for years to come. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade now, I've witnessed numerous drafts come and go, but this particular one stands out for its intriguing blend of surefire prospects and under-the-radar gems that would eventually reshape team dynamics across the league.

When Moala Tautuaa's name was called first overall by Talk 'N Text, it surprised exactly nobody in the basketball community. At 6'7" with incredible athleticism and a developing outside shot, Tautuaa represented the modern Filipino big man prototype that every team craved. What made this selection particularly fascinating was Tautuaa's unique path—born in California, developed through the US NCAA system, yet fully embracing his Filipino heritage through his mother. I've always believed that players with international exposure bring something special to the PBA, and Tautuaa's combination of physical gifts and basketball IQ made him the consensus top pick. The KaTropa were getting not just a franchise center, but someone who could potentially anchor their frontcourt for the next decade.

The real drama began with the second pick, where Rain or Shine made what many considered a reach at the time by selecting Maverick Ahanmisi. While Ahanmisi had shown flashes of brilliance in college, several scouts I spoke to questioned whether he was truly worthy of such a high selection. Personally, I thought Chris Newsome—who would go fifth to Meralco—would have been the smarter choice here. But what do I know? The Elasto Painters' coaching staff saw something in Ahanmisi's two-way potential that others might have overlooked. This is where draft analysis gets tricky—sometimes the metrics and conventional wisdom don't capture the full picture of how a player might develop in a specific system.

Speaking of Newsome, his slide to fifth was arguably the steal of the draft. I remember texting fellow analysts during the event, all of us baffled that he lasted that long. Newsome possessed that rare combination of explosive athleticism and polished fundamentals that typically doesn't last beyond the top three picks. Meralco head coach Norman Black must have been grinning from ear to ear when he realized Newsome was still available. Having watched Newsome dominate in the UAAP, I was convinced he'd transition seamlessly to the pro game, and history has proven that assessment correct.

The middle rounds featured several intriguing selections that reflected teams' divergent philosophies. GlobalPort's selection of Joseph Gabayni in the second round raised eyebrows—not because Gabayni lacked talent, but because the Batang Pier already had a crowded frontcourt. Meanwhile, Ginebra's pick of Jammer Jamito felt like typical Gin Kings move—prioritizing toughness and rebounding over finesse. I've always appreciated how Ginebra stays true to their blue-collar identity, even if it means passing on more skilled offensive players.

What truly fascinates me about the 2015 draft class, however, is how it connects to the current landscape where players from leagues like the MPBL are making their PBA push. The reference to prolific MPBL scorers seeking PBA opportunities this season reminds me of how the 2015 draft featured several players who took unconventional paths. Troy Rosario, selected second overall by Talk 'N Text, had developed through the NU system rather than the traditional UAAP powerhouses. Watching his growth from a raw prospect to a key contributor for the KaTropa demonstrates how player development has evolved in Philippine basketball.

The third round featured the typical dart throws that make the draft so compelling. Teams like Blackwater and NLEX took chances on players who might have been overlooked but possessed specific, projectable skills. I've always been partial to these late-round picks—the underdogs who prove everyone wrong. While many of them don't pan out, discovering that diamond in the rough is what separates good scouting departments from great ones.

Reflecting on this draft six years later, what strikes me is how several teams successfully identified talent that would grow with their systems rather than simply selecting the "best player available." Alaska's selection of Kevin Racal, for instance, perfectly aligned with their defensive identity. Racal might not have been the most gifted offensive player in the draft, but his tenacity and basketball intelligence made him an ideal fit for the Aces' system. This approach to drafting for fit rather than pure talent is something I wish more teams would embrace.

The 2015 PBA Draft ultimately delivered exactly what makes these events so compelling—a mix of predictable selections, surprising reaches, and late-round steals that would gradually reveal themselves over time. While Tautuaa and Rosario formed an impressive twin tower combination for Talk 'N Text, and Newsome developed into a franchise player for Meralco, the real value emerged in how teams built around their selections. As we see MPBL standouts now attempting to follow in these players' footsteps, the 2015 draft serves as a reminder that talent can emerge from anywhere—it's about finding the right situation and development path. For every highly-touted prospect that fulfills their potential, there's a late-round pick who exceeds expectations, and that unpredictability is what keeps analysts like me coming back year after year.