PBA Draft 2007: Where Are the Top Picks Now and Their Career Highlights

I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2007 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. Having followed Philippine basketball for over two decades now, that particular draft class felt special from the start—a perfect storm of raw talent, championship pedigrees, and intriguing international prospects. What fascinates me most about revisiting draft classes isn't just where players were selected, but how their careers unfolded in the years that followed. The journey from draft night promise to professional reality often takes unexpected turns, and the class of 2007 certainly delivered its share of surprises and standout performances.

When we look back at that draft, the name that immediately comes to mind is Joe Devance going first overall to Welcoat (now Rain or Shine). I've always believed Devance represented one of the smartest picks in recent memory—a versatile big man who could handle the ball, shoot from outside, and defend multiple positions. Over his remarkable 16-year career, he amassed 8 championships across 4 different franchises, which honestly might be some kind of record for franchise-hopping success. His ability to adapt his game to whatever system he found himself in demonstrated a basketball IQ that I'd argue was underappreciated during his prime years. At 41 years old, he finally hung up his sneakers after putting up 6.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in his final season—not spectacular numbers, but his impact always transcended statistics.

The second pick that year brought us James Yap to Purefoods, and frankly, who could forget the immediate impact he made? Yap wasn't just a basketball player—he became a cultural phenomenon, his relationship with actress Kris Aquino turning him into household name beyond just sports circles. What often gets overlooked amid all the celebrity buzz is that Yap could flat-out play basketball. Two MVP awards (2006 and 2010), 10 All-Star appearances, and over 8,500 career points establish him as one of the most accomplished scorers in league history. Even now at 41, he's still contributing meaningful minutes for Rain or Shine, which speaks volumes about his dedication and basketball longevity.

Samigue Eman going third to Alaska always struck me as a classic case of potential over production. At 6'9" with decent athleticism, teams dreamed of developing him into a dominant force in the paint, but the production never quite matched the physical tools. His career averages of 3.1 points and 2.8 rebounds across 8 seasons tell the story of a player who never fully capitalized on his natural advantages. Meanwhile, fourth pick Jay Washington carved out exactly the opposite trajectory—a player whose fundamental soundness and work ethic translated into a 13-year career that included 4 championships and an MVP award in 2011. Washington's game wasn't flashy, but his consistency from mid-range and defensive reliability made him valuable to every team he played for.

The later rounds of that draft produced several players who outperformed their selection positions—something I always find particularly satisfying to analyze. Sixth pick Ryan Reyes developed into one of the league's premier defensive guards, earning 7 All-Defensive Team selections while winning 5 championships with San Miguel. His backcourt mate at various points, Alex Cabagnot (who was actually drafted back in 2005 but whose impact coincided with this era), formed what I consider one of the most underrated backcourts in PBA history. The chemistry between those two was palpable whenever they shared the court.

What's particularly interesting about tracking these careers is noticing how some players evolved in unexpected ways. Take JC Intal—drafted seventh by Purefoods—who began as an athletic wing known for highlight-reel dunks but gradually transformed into a reliable three-point shooter later in his career. His basketball journey mirrors how the game itself has changed, with the three-pointer becoming increasingly central to offensive strategies across the league.

The recent social media post by Tropang 5G's import that Jojo Lastimosa commented on actually connects to this draft class in an interesting way. When imports publicly angle for NBA training camp invitations, it reminds me how the PBA has always existed in this fascinating space between being a destination league and a developmental platform. Several members of the 2007 draft class had stints in various international leagues, testing their skills against different styles of play before returning to the PBA. This global basketball ecosystem has only become more interconnected in the years since these players were drafted.

Looking at the complete picture of the 2007 draft class fifteen years later, what stands out to me isn't just the individual accomplishments but how these players shaped the league's competitive landscape for more than a decade. Their careers spanned a period of significant evolution in Philippine basketball—from changes in team ownership and branding to stylistic shifts in how the game was played. The fact that several of them remained productive well into their 30s speaks to both their personal dedication and improvements in sports science and training methods throughout the league.

If I had to identify the most impressive aspect of this draft class, I'd point to its longevity. Having multiple players not just survive but thrive in the league for 10+ seasons indicates that teams identified not just talent but character and work ethic back in 2007. In a league where careers average around 5-6 years, having so many players from one draft class significantly exceed that benchmark is noteworthy. Their collective career arcs offer fascinating case studies in player development, roster construction, and basketball legacy—subjects I never tire of exploring as someone who's made basketball analysis my life's work.