Hubbry Logo
2008 PBA draft2008 PBA draftMain
Open search
2008 PBA draft
Community hub
2008 PBA draft
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
2008 PBA draft
2008 PBA draft
2008 PBA draft
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

2008 PBA draft
General information
DateAugust 31, 2008
Time4:00 pm (PHT)
LocationMarket! Market!
in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
NetworkSolar TV
Overview
LeaguePhilippine Basketball Association
First selectionGabe Norwood, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
← 2007
2009 →

The 2008 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie draft was an event at which teams drafted players from the amateur ranks. The event was held at Market! Market! in Taguig on August 31, 2008. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (formerly known as the Welcoat Dragons) selected Gabe Norwood of the George Mason University as the number one draft pick. Players applied for the draft had undergone a two-day rookie camp.

Round 1

[edit]
PG Point guard SG Shooting guard SF Small forward PF Power forward C Center * Mythical team member # All-star
Pick Player Country of origin* PBA team College
1 Gabe Norwood*  United States Rain or Shine Elasto Painters George Mason
2 Jared Dillinger#  United States Talk 'N Text Phone Pals Hawaii
3 Jayson Castro*  Philippines Talk 'N Text Phone Pals
(from San Miguel Beermen) 		PCU
4 Rob Reyes  United States Talk 'N Text Phone Pals Flagler
5 Sol Mercado#  United States Alaska Aces Biola
6 Mark Borboran  Philippines Air21 Express UE
7 Beau Belga#  Philippines Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants PCU
8 Bonbon Custodio  Philippines San Miguel Beermen UE
9 Larry Rodriguez  Philippines Red Bull Barako PMI
10 Kelvin Gregorio  Philippines Sta. Lucia Realtors UE

Round 2

[edit]
Pick Player Country of origin* PBA team College
1 Pong Escobal  Philippines Talk 'N Text Phone Pals San Beda
2 TY Tang  Philippines Rain or Shine Elasto Painters De La Salle
3 Pocholo Villanueva  Philippines Air 21 Express De La Salle
4 Chito Jaime  Philippines Sta. Lucia Realtors AMA
5 Kelvin dela Peña  Philippines Alaska Aces Mapúa
6 Jonathan Fernandez  Philippines Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants NU
7 Jeff Chan*  Philippines Red Bull Barako FEU
8 Mark Cuevas  United States Red Bull Barako Los Angeles County
9 Christian Cabatu  Philippines Sta. Lucia Realtors St. Benilde

Undrafted players

[edit]
Player Country of origin* College
Juan Luis Abad  Philippines St. Benilde
Lawrence Bonus[1]  Philippines UM
Patrick Cabahug  Philippines Adamson
Andrew Catigan  Canada Langara
Jan Anthony Coching  Philippines St. Benilde
Dennis Concha  Philippines
Rene Cunanan  Philippines JRU
Kevin Dulafu  United States Vanguard
Nestor David  Philippines UP Diliman
Michael Dizon  United States Florida College
Anthony Espiritu  Philippines UST
Julian Bermejo  Philippines San Sebastian
Ismael Juinio  Philippines Letran
Nizar Kiram  Philippines St. Francis
Ferdie Melocoton  Philippines EAC
Franklyn Nailon  Philippines UC
Ricky Natividad  Philippines PSBA
Leimar Navarro  Philippines PCU
Angelus Raymundo  Philippines San Beda Alabang / UE
Ryan Regalado  Philippines UM
Unik Christian Reyes  Philippines St. Benilde
Earn Saguindel  Philippines UE
Eder Saldua  Philippines FEU
Mark Yee[2]  Philippines San Sebastian-Cavite
Eian Yu  United States UCLA
  1. ^ Signed by Coca-Cola Tigers as a free agent for the 2008-09 PBA season Philippine Cup
  2. ^ Signed by the Burger King Whoppers as a free agent for the 2008-09 PBA season Fiesta Cup

Draft-day trades

[edit]

Off-season trades

[edit]

Note

[edit]

*All aspirants are Filipinos until proven otherwise.

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2008 PBA draft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2008 PBA draft was the 24th annual rookie draft of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), held on August 31, 2008, at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City, where teams selected eligible amateur and college players to bolster their rosters for the 2008–09 season. This draft is widely regarded as one of the most talented in PBA history, producing multiple Hall of Fame-caliber players and key contributors to national teams, with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters selecting Gabe Norwood from George Mason University as the first overall pick, who later earned Rookie of the Year honors for his versatile defense and scoring in the 2008–09 season and announced his retirement at the end of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup in October 2025. The event featured significant pre-draft trades, including Talk 'N Text acquiring the third overall pick from San Miguel Beermen in exchange for veteran forward Jay Washington, allowing them to select explosive guard Jayson Castro from Philippine Christian University, a selection later hailed as a major steal due to his future MVP awards and leadership in multiple championships. The first round highlighted a strong class of guards and forwards, with Talk 'N Text also picking Jared Dillinger second overall from the University of Hawaii, adding sharpshooting depth that contributed to their success in subsequent conferences. Other notable first-round selections included Rob Reyes (fourth, Talk 'N Text Phone Pals), Sol Mercado (fifth, Alaska Aces, later traded), Beau Belga (seventh, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants), and Bonbon Custodio (eighth, ), many of whom developed into long-term starters and reached career milestones like 5,000 points. The second round yielded additional impact players such as Jeff Chan (seventeenth, Red Bull Barako) and Chito Jaime (fourteenth, ), who provided reliable scoring off the bench, while the draft's overall depth influenced team rebuilds, particularly for expansion franchise Rain or Shine, which used its picks to form a competitive core. Three draftees—Norwood, Dillinger, and Castro—went on to represent Gilas Pilipinas in international competitions, underscoring the class's lasting legacy in Philippine .

Background

Event Details

The 2008 PBA Draft was conducted on August 31, 2008, at the Market! Market! Activity Center in , , with proceedings commencing at 4:00 PM . The event marked the inaugural broadcast coverage by Solar Sports under their newly secured three-year television rights deal with the league, airing on Solar TV and signaling a shift from previous broadcasters. Positioned as the opening highlight of the 2008–09 PBA season, the draft followed the conclusion of the 2007–08 season in July and preceded the regular season tip-off in October, providing teams an opportunity to bolster rosters ahead of the new campaign. All 10 active PBA franchises participated in the proceedings, representing the league's full membership at the time: Air21 Express, Alaska Aces, Barangay Ginebra Kings, Coca-Cola Tigers, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants, Red Bull Barako, , , Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, and Welcoat Paints. Notably, Welcoat Paints underwent a rebranding to the shortly after the draft, aligning with their entry into the upcoming season.

Eligibility and Rookie Camp

To participate in the 2008 PBA draft, players were required to be amateurs with no prior professional experience, ensuring the selection pool consisted solely of those from collegiate, high school, or other non-professional ranks. Eligibility further stipulated that applicants be at least 23 years old or college seniors, with all presumed to be Filipino citizens unless their heritage was formally challenged by the league. For foreign-born players of Filipino descent—often referred to under the PBA's "Fil-Sham" guidelines to verify genuine heritage—additional scrutiny applied, including mandatory submission of authenticated documents such as a , birth certificates of Filipino parents, Department of Justice affirmation of citizenship, and Bureau of Immigration recognition to confirm eligibility. A notable case was , whose eligibility was initially in question due to incomplete Fil-Am documentation but was cleared on August 29, 2008. The application process opened in May 2008, with foreign-born applicants facing an initial deadline of July 8, later extended to July 25 for photocopies of required documents and August 29 for authenticated originals, while local applicants had until August 12. A total of around 45 players ultimately qualified for the draft pool after verification, drawn from an initial group of approximately 35 applicants, including seven foreign-born prospects. Prospects who met the criteria participated in a three-day rookie camp held August 21–23, organized by the PBA commissioner's office to assess potential draftees ahead of the August 31 event. The camp featured physical tests such as agility drills and endurance runs, on-court scrimmages to evaluate skills, and interviews with league officials and team representatives. Unlike some previous PBA drafts that included territorial selections based on team affiliations or regional ties, the 2008 draft featured no such picks, with all choices drawn from the general applicant pool.

Draft Selection

Lottery and Pick Order

The draft order for the PBA draft was determined by the inverse order of the teams' records from the 2007–08 season, with standings from the Philippine Cup weighted at 40%, the Commissioner's Cup at 30%, and the Governors' Cup at 30%; teams with the worst overall rankings received the highest picks. Under the pre-2015 lottery system, only the two teams with the worst cumulative rankings—the Welcoat Dragons (rebranded as ) and Talk 'N Text Phone Pals—participated in a drawing for the No. 1 overall pick, conducted via envelopes during halftime of the 2008 PBA finals Game 3. Welcoat, as the worst-ranked team, held a 2/3 probability of winning with two envelopes, while Talk 'N Text had a 1/3 chance with one envelope. Welcoat won the lottery, securing the top selection for the second consecutive year. The resulting first-round order was as follows:
PickTeamNotes
1Rain or ShineLottery winner
2Talk 'N Text
3San MiguelLater traded to Talk 'N Text
4Talk 'N Text
5
6Air21
7Purefoods
8San Miguel
9
10Sta. Lucia
The second-round order followed the same inverse standings formula without a lottery.

Round 1 Picks

The first round of the 2008 PBA draft, held on August 31 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in City, featured the selection of 10 players who were expected to provide immediate impact for their respective teams, with a focus on versatile wings, guards, and big men to bolster rosters in the competitive . , winners of the draft , secured the top pick, setting the tone for a class highlighted by international experience and local collegiate standouts. Gabe Norwood emerged as the consensus top prospect, drawing significant pre-draft attention for his defensive prowess and experience in George Mason University's run to the 2006 NCAA Final Four. Jayson Castro's selection at No. 3, acquired by Talk 'N Text via a draft-day trade for San Miguel Beermen's rights, was viewed as a value pick for his playmaking skills honed in the Philippine Basketball League.
PickPlayerCollege/BackgroundPositionTeamTeam Fit/Notes
1Gabe NorwoodGeorge Mason UniversitySFRain or Shine Elasto PaintersDefensive specialist with international pedigree, expected to anchor the wing defense for the expansion franchise.
2Jared DillingerUniversity of Hawai'iSGTalk 'N Text Tropang TextersSharpshooting guard with NCAA Division I experience, slotted as a perimeter threat to complement the team's backcourt.
3Jayson CastroPhilippine Christian UniversityPGTalk 'N Text Tropang Texters (via trade)Quick playmaker from local leagues, acquired to provide floor general duties and speed in transition.
4Rob ReyesFlagler CollegePFTalk 'N Text Tropang TextersRebounding forward with U.S. college background, targeted for frontcourt depth and energy off the bench.
5Sol MercadoBiola UniversitySGAlaska AcesDynamic scorer from NAIA ranks, brought in to add scoring punch and versatility to the veteran-laden backcourt.
6Mark BorboranUniversity of the EastCAir21 ExpressAthletic big man from UAAP, selected to bolster interior presence for the young expansion squad.
7Beau BelgaPhilippine Christian UniversityPFPurefoods Tender Juicy GiantsVersatile forward with local college experience, fitting as a multi-role player in the team's balanced lineup.
8Bonbon CustodioUniversity of the EastPGSan Miguel BeermenSpeedy guard known for quickness, added to enhance the defending champions' guard rotation.
9Larry RodriguezPhilippine Merchant Marine AcademySFRed Bull BarakoAthletic wing from collegiate leagues, projected as a high-energy contributor on the perimeter.
10Kelvin GregorioUniversity of the EastSGSta. Lucia RealtorsPerimeter-oriented guard, chosen to provide shooting and defensive versatility for the rebuilding team.

Round 2 Picks

The second round of the 2008 PBA draft provided teams with opportunities to acquire versatile role players and depth pieces, often overlooked in pre-draft hype but essential for building competitive rotations around first-round acquisitions. Held on August 31 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City, these selections emphasized backcourt speed, perimeter shooting, and interior presence to address specific roster gaps, such as point guard depth for rebuilding squads like Air21 and shooting options for contenders like Red Bull. While generating less immediate buzz than the top-10 picks, the round yielded several long-term contributors who influenced team success over multiple seasons. The following table summarizes the second-round selections, including player details and drafting teams:
PickPlayerPositionCollege/UniversityDrafting Team
11Pong EscobalPGSan Beda CollegeTalk 'N Text Tropang Texters
12TY TangPGDe La Salle UniversityRain or Shine Elasto Painters
13Cholo VillanuevaPGDe La Salle UniversityAir21 Express
14Chito JaimeSGJose Rizal UniversitySta. Lucia Realtors
15Kelvin dela PeñaCSan Beda CollegeAlaska Aces
16Jonathan FernandezSGNational UniversityPurefoods Tender Juicy Giants
17Jeff ChanSFFar Eastern UniversityRed Bull Barako
18Mark CuevasPFLos Angeles County CollegeRed Bull Barako
19Christian CabatuCNational UniversitySta. Lucia Realtors
Red Bull Barako passed on an additional second-round selection after pick 18. Among the notable outcomes, Jeff Chan, taken 17th overall by , proved a draft steal as one of the league's premier shooters, averaging 9.1 points in his rookie season and later contributing to six PBA championships across multiple teams while representing Gilas Pilipinas in international play. TY Tang, selected 12th by Rain or Shine, developed into a dependable with exceptional quickness, helping the Elasto Painters secure a 2012 Governors' Cup title and earning recognition for his playmaking in high-stakes games. These examples highlight the second round's value in unearthing specialists who filled critical team needs, such as Chan's outside shooting for 's offense and Tang's speed for Rain or Shine's transition game, ultimately enhancing depth without the fanfare of franchise-altering first-round talents.

Transactions

Draft-Day Trades

During the 2008 PBA draft held on August 31 at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig City, the most notable transaction occurred just before the third overall selection. Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, holding the second and fourth picks, traded veteran forward Jay Washington—who had been averaging 12.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in the prior season—to the San Miguel Beermen in exchange for the rights to San Miguel's third overall pick. This swap, orchestrated by Talk 'N Text coach Chot Reyes, allowed the team to secure point guard Jayson Castro, who had been projected as a top prospect but was originally slated for San Miguel's selection. The trade represented a bold strategy by Talk 'N Text to bolster their backcourt immediately, pairing Castro with , whom they had just selected at No. 2 overall. Castro went on to become a cornerstone for the franchise, earning five PBA Best Player of the Conference awards and contributing to nine championships during his tenure with the team. No other significant pick swaps or multi-team deals were reported during the event, keeping the focus on this single, high-impact exchange.

Off-Season Trades

Following the 2008 PBA draft on August 31, teams continued to reshape their rosters through off-season trades in September, focusing on acquiring immediate contributors and addressing positional needs ahead of the 2008–09 season opener in October. These transactions primarily involved swapping 2008 rookies for established players or other young talents, allowing franchises to optimize their lineups for the Philippine Cup. One of the most significant deals occurred on September 1, when the traded forward to the Aces in exchange for guard , forward , and 's second-round picks in 2010 and 2011. Mercado, selected fifth overall by in the 2008 draft, brought scoring and playmaking potential to Rain or Shine's backcourt, while the Elasto Painters viewed Laure as a veteran presence to stabilize their frontcourt. For , acquiring forward , the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 PBA draft, provided an established big man to anchor their offense and address depth issues, a move coach described as essential for contending in the upcoming conference. Another key transaction took place on September 22, as the Air21 Express traded sixth overall pick Mark Borboran to the Alaska Aces for forward . Borboran, a versatile wing from the , added shooting and perimeter defense to Alaska's rotation, helping the Aces build around their recent draft acquisitions. In return, Air21 gained Quiñahan, a 2007 draftee known for his rebounding and interior presence, to strengthen their center position and improve frontcourt scoring amid early-season preparations. This swap exemplified teams' efforts to balance youth with experience in the brief off-season window.

Post-Draft

Undrafted Players

In the 2008 PBA draft, 45 players applied for eligibility, but only 19 were selected across the two rounds, resulting in 26 undrafted players who immediately became unrestricted free agents eligible to negotiate contracts or participate in team tryouts prior to the start of the 2008–09 season on October 4. Under PBA regulations at the time, undrafted applicants entered the free agency pool without restrictions, allowing them to sign with any of the league's 10 teams for rookie contracts ranging from a minimum of P30,000 per month to a maximum of P150,000 per month, with terms up to three years and potential 50% annual salary escalations. Notable among the undrafted were forwards Lawrence Bonus (6-foot-6, ), Christian Espiritu (6-foot-4, ), Eder Saldua (6-foot-4, ), guard Patrick Cabahug (6-foot-2, ), wing Mark Yee (6-foot-3, San Sebastian College-Cavite), and Kevin Dalafu (6-foot-1, ), all of whom had prior experience in college or amateur leagues but were passed over due to teams' focus on higher-ranked prospects. The undrafted group also included other applicants such as Juan Luis Abad, reflecting the competitive nature of the draft where pre-draft camp performances and positional needs influenced selections. The absence of territorial picks or special exemptions in 2008 meant all undrafted players competed equally in the free agency market without priority claims.

Free Agent Signings

Following the 2008 PBA draft held on August 31, undrafted amateur players automatically became unrestricted free agents, allowing them to negotiate and sign rookie contracts with any team of their choice. These signings typically occurred in the weeks immediately after the draft. Most agreements were finalized in September and October 2008, providing overlooked talent an entry point into professional basketball while helping teams bolster depth without expending draft assets. Notable free agent signings included center Lawrence Bonus, who joined the Coca-Cola Tigers in September 2008 after going undrafted from the ; he initially served in a practice player role but appeared in limited games during the 2008-09 Philippine Cup, contributing modestly to the team's frontcourt rotation. Mark Yee, undrafted from San Sebastian College (Cavite), signed with the Burger King Whoppers ahead of the 2008-09 Fiesta Conference, where he debuted as a hustle player off the bench, averaging minimal minutes but earning a spot through tenacity; Yee went on to have a nine-year PBA , playing for multiple teams until 2017. These acquisitions exemplified how free agency offered second chances for undrafted prospects, often filling niche roles and providing bench production; for instance, Bonus played sparingly but helped his team manage injuries and rotations in a competitive 2008-09 campaign.

References

  1. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/opinion/119629/thoughts-on-the-2008-pba-draft/story/
  2. https://www.pba.ph/news/norwood-now-a-certified-5-000-point-club-member
  3. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/29280729/the-biggest-pba-draft-steals-2003-2008
  4. https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/10/9/-one-la5t-flight-gabe-norwood-to-retire-after-pba-season-50-ph-cup-1403
  5. https://sports.inquirer.net/440412/full-circle-as-jayson-castro-wins-pba-title-on-high-school-home-court
  6. https://www.pba.ph/news/jd-takes-the-lead-role-for-the-bolts-in-the-playoffs
  7. https://www.pba.ph/news/welcome-to-the-pba-5-000-point-club-beau
  8. https://www.pba.ph/news/still-without-a-team-sol-mercado-hopes-to-revive-pba-career
  9. https://philippinebasketball.neocities.org/pba.past2008draft
  10. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/05/28/64370/solar-bags-pro-league-tv-rights
  11. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/116142/pba-solar-sports-to-seal-three-year-deal-in-macau/story/
  12. https://philippinebasketball.neocities.org/pba.past200809season
  13. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/08/30/82479/norwood-dillinger-cleared-pba-draft
  14. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/107848/new-hope-for-fil-am-norwood-in-pba-draft/story/
  15. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/112744/fil-am-norwood-still-not-eligible-for-pba-rookie-draft/story/
  16. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/08/19/80050/breakthrough-pba
  17. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/117006/norwood-given-green-light-to-join-pba-draft/story/
  18. https://www.interbasket.net/forum/threads/2008-pba-draft-prospects.2553383/post-4342916
  19. https://www.interbasket.net/forum/threads/2008-pba-draft-prospects.4777/post-249496
  20. https://www.interbasket.net/forum/threads/pba-season-2008-2009.2554961/
  21. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2024/04/13/2347249/no-lottery-pba-draft
  22. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/117198/welcoat-to-get-norwood-as-top-pba-draft-choice/story/
  23. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/15812/gabe-norwood
  24. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/34652/gabe-norwood
  25. https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jared-dillinger/6493
  26. https://flaglerathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/robbie-reyes/71
  27. https://athletics.biola.edu/sports/mens-basketball/roster/solomon-mercado/383
  28. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/55662/mark-borboran
  29. https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Beau-Belga/100791
  30. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/55617/bonifacio-custodio
  31. https://www.facebook.com/100089940987808/posts/name-larry-rodriguezbirthdate-may-5-1983birthplace-narvacan-ilocos-surcollege-pm/500694422938586/
  32. https://www.facebook.com/gwapogibasketballzone/posts/mpbl-player-profilename-kelvin-gregorio-height-64playing-position-small-forwardc/895060934303715/
  33. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/late-round-pick-in-2008-draft-the-biggest-career-motivation-for-jeff-chan-a793-20200614
  34. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ty-tang-was-the-smallest-of-players-but-had-the-biggest-heart-say-guiao-and-pumaren/190362
  35. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/tnt-was-able-to-draft-jayson-castro-via-2008-trade-with-smb-a795-20221017
  36. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/09/02/83097/rain-or-shine-trades-devance
  37. https://www.philstar.com/palaro/2008/09/23/402368/sentro-pinalakas-borboran-ipinamigay-ng-air21
  38. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/09/02/82959/ones-who-got-away
  39. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/08/30/82482/undrafted-rookies-could-be-lucky-free-agents
  40. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2008/10/04/404646/texters-tigers-grudge-match-kicks-rp-cup
  41. https://www.espn.com/basketball/story/_/id/28964669/which-players-coaches-belong-pba-all-undrafted-team
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.