Hubbry Logo
2018 PBA draft2018 PBA draftMain
Open search
2018 PBA draft
Community hub
2018 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.
2018 PBA draft
2018 PBA draft
2018 PBA draft
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

2018 PBA draft
General information
DateDecember 16, 2018
LocationRobinsons Place Manila
NetworksESPN 5 (The 5 Network, PBA Rush, TV5.Espn.com)
Overview
LeaguePhilippine Basketball Association
First selectionCJ Perez (Columbian Dyip)
← 2017
2019 →

The 2018 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie draft was an event that allowed teams to take turns selecting amateur basketball players and other eligible players, including half-Filipino foreign players. The league determined the drafting order based on the performance of the member teams from the 2017–18 season, with the worst team picking first.

Draft order

[edit]
PBA Commissioner Willy Marcial posing with players selected in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.

The draft order is determined based on the overall performance of the teams from the previous season. The Philippine Cup final ranking comprises 40% of the points, while the rankings of the Commissioner's and Governors' Cups are 30% each.

Draft order Team Final ranking Total
PHL COM GOV
1st Columbian Dyip 12th 9th 12th 11.1
2nd Blackwater Elite 10th 12th 6th 9.4
3rd NorthPort Batang Pier 7th 8th 11th 8.5
4th Phoenix Fuel Masters 9th 10th 5th 8.1
5th Meralco Bolts 11th 6th 4th 7.4
6th TNT KaTropa 8th 5th 9th 7.4
7th NLEX Road Warriors 4th 11th 8th 7.3
8th Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 6th 3rd 10th 6.3
9th Alaska Aces 5th 4th 1st or 2nd 3.8 or 3.5
10th Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok 2nd 7th 1st or 2nd 3.5 or 3.2
11th San Miguel Beermen 1st 2nd 7th 3.1
12th Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 3rd 1st 3rd 2.4

On draft day, Alaska and Magnolia were playing in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup Finals. Alaska would've finished either with 3.8 or 3.5 points, in 9th position. Magnolia would've finished with 3.2 or 3.5 points, in 10th position. Magnolia eventually won.

Draft selections

[edit]

1st round

[edit]
CJ Perez receives the Columbian Dyip team jacket during the first round of the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft.
PG Point guard SG Shooting guard SF Small forward PF Power forward C Center * Mythical team member # All-Star
Round Pick Player Pos. Country of birth Team PBA D-League team School
1 1 CJ Perez* SG/SF  Hong Kong Columbian Dyip Zark's Jawbreakers - LPU Lyceum
1 2 Bobby Ray Parks Jr. SG/SF  Philippines Blackwater Elite NU-Banco De Oro
Hapee Fresh Fighters 		National U
1 3 Robert Bolick* PG/SG  Philippines NorthPort Batang Pier Cignal HD - San Beda San Beda
1 4 Paul Desiderio SG  Philippines NLEX Road Warriors (from Phoenix)[a] Go for Gold Philippines
1 5 Trevis Jackson PG/SG  United States Meralco Bolts Gamboa Coffee Mixers Sacramento State
1 6 Javee Mocon SF/PF  Philippines Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from TNT)[b] Cignal HD - San Beda San Beda
1 7 Abu Tratter C/PF  Philippines NLEX Road Warriors Marinerong Pilipino Skippers De La Salle
1 8 Jayjay Alejandro SG  Philippines Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Go for Gold Scratchers National U
1 9 MJ Ayaay SF/SG  Philippines Alaska Aces Zark's Jawbreakers - LPU Lyceum
1 10 Michael Calisaan PF  Philippines Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok Che'Lu Bar and Grill - SSC-R San Sebastian
1 11 J. P. Calvo PG  Philippines Columbian Dyip (from San Miguel)[c] Wang's Basketball Couriers Letran
1 12 Jorey Napoles SF  Philippines Phoenix Fuel Masters (from Ginebra)[d] Marinerong Pilipino Skippers TIP

2nd round

[edit]
Round Pick Player Pos. Country of birth Team PBA D-League team School
2 13 Paul Varilla SF  United States Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from Columbian)[e] Tanduay Light UE
2 14 Bong Quinto SF  Philippines Meralco Bolts (from Blackwater)[f] Wang's Basketball Couriers Letran
2 15 Jeepy Faundo C  Philippines Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (from NorthPort)[g] Che'Lu Bar and Grill - SSC-R Santo Tomas
2 16 Kris Porter C  Philippines NLEX Road Warriors (from Phoenix)[h] Go for Gold Ateneo
2 17 Gideon Babilonia C  Philippines Alaska Aces (from Meralco via Phoenix)[i] Marinerong Pilipino Ateneo
2 18 Cyrus Tabi PG  Philippines Columbian Dyip (from TNT via NLEX and Phoenix)[j] Batangas-EAC Rizal Tech
2 19 Robbie Manalang PG  United States Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from NLEX)[k] Marinerong Pilipino Adamson
2 20 Harold Ng SG  Philippines Rain or Shine Elasto Painters AMA Adamson
2 – PASS Alaska Aces
2 – PASS Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok
2 21 Ron Dennison SG/SF  Philippines Phoenix Fuel Masters (from San Miguel via NorthPort)[l] Go for Gold Far Eastern
2 22 Joe Allen Trinidad PG  United States Phoenix Fuel Masters (from Ginebra)[m] Wang's Basketball Couriers Far Eastern

3rd round

[edit]
Round Pick Player Pos. Country of birth Team PBA D-League team School
3 23 Teytey Teodoro PG/SG  Philippines Columbian Dyip José Rizal José Rizal
3 24 Diego Dario PG  Philippines Blackwater Elite AMA Philippines
3 25 Edrian Lao C/PF  Philippines NorthPort Batang Pier Cagayan Rising Suns Visayas
3 26 Ivan Villanueva PF  Philippines Phoenix Fuel Masters AMA Adamson
3 27 Steven Cudal PF  Philippines Meralco Bolts Zark's Jawbreakers UE
3 28 Jeffrey Ongteco C/PF  Philippines TNT KaTropa Flying V Benilde
3 29 Kyles Lao SG  Philippines NLEX Road Warriors AMA Philippines
3 30 Kent Lao PF  Philippines Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Che'Lu Bar and Grill UST
3 31 Ryan Monteclaro PG  Philippines San Miguel Beermen Boracay Rum Adamson
3 32 Matt Salem SF  United States Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Go for Gold National U

4th round

[edit]
Round Pick Player Pos. Country of birth Team PBA D-League team School
4 33 Oliver Arim SF/SG  Philippines Columbian Dyip Batangas-EAC Centro Escolar
4 34 Dan Alberto PG  Philippines Blackwater Elite AMA UE
4 35 Jeremiah Taladua SG  Philippines NorthPort Batang Pier Wang's Basketball Couriers Letran
4 36 Kim Cinco PG  Philippines Phoenix Fuel Masters Zark's Burger Lyceum
4 – PASS Meralco Bolts
4 37 C. J. Isit PG  Canada TNT KaTropa Batangas-EAC Mapúa
4 38 Dan Wong PG  United States NLEX Road Warriors Go for Gold Ateneo
4 39 Al Josef Cariaga PG  Canada Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Zark's Burger Southern Alberta
4 – PASS San Miguel Beermen
4 – PASS Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

5th round

[edit]
Round Pick Player Pos. Country of birth Team PBA D-League team School
5 – PASS Columbian Dyip
5 40 Chris de la Peña C  Philippines Blackwater Elite Batangas-EAC Letran
5 41 John Ragasa SG  United Kingdom NorthPort Batang Pier Batangas-EAC St. Mary's (London)
5 – PASS Phoenix Fuel Masters
5 – PASS TNT KaTropa
5 – PASS NLEX Road Warriors
5 – PASS Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

6th round

[edit]

A sixth round was held, but both Blackwater and NorthPort passed, thus ending the draft.

Trades involving draft picks

[edit]

Pre-draft trades

[edit]

Note: The rights to Barako Bull's draft pick were retained by Phoenix.
Prior to the day of the draft, the following trades were made and resulted in exchanges of picks between the teams.

  1. ^ December 13, 2018: Phoenix to NLEX[1]
  2. ^ February 15, 2018: TNT to Rain or Shine[2]
  3. ^ November 3, 2016: San Miguel to Columbian (Mahindra) (three-team trade with Magnolia [Star])[3]
  4. ^ June 18, 2018: Ginebra to Phoenix[4]
    • Phoenix acquired a first round pick
    • Ginebra acquired Jeff Chan
  5. ^ October 14, 2016: Columbian (Mahindra) to Rain or Shine[5]
    • Rain or Shine acquired a second round pick
    • Mahindra acquired Josan Nimes
  6. ^ March 28, 2017: Blackwater to Meralco (three-team trade with NLEX)[6]
    • Meralco acquired a second round pick from Blackwater
    • Blackwater re-acquired a 2017 second round pick from NLEX
    • NLEX acquired Rabeh Al-Hussaini from Meralco via Blackwater
  7. ^ August 24, 2014: NorthPort (GlobalPort) to Magnolia (San Mig Coffee)[7]
    • San Mig Coffee acquired a second round pick and a 2016 first round pick
    • GlobalPort acquired the draft rights to Anthony Semerad and a 2016 first round pick
  8. ^ May 5, 2016: Phoenix to NLEX[8]
  9. ^ July 13, 2016: Phoenix to Alaska[9]
    • Alaska acquired a second round pick, which was the best remaining pick from Meralco
    • Phoenix acquired Cyrus Baguio
  10. ^ November 15, 2017: Phoenix to Columbian (Kia)[10]
    • Kia acquired a second round pick and Jason Grimaldo
    • Phoenix acquired LA Revilla
    November 6, 2017: NLEX to Phoenix[11]
    • Phoenix acquired the pick
    • NLEX acquired Michael Miranda
    September 22, 2014: TNT (Talk 'N Text) to NLEX (three-team trade with NorthPort [GlobalPort])[12]
    • NLEX acquired the pick and Harold Arboleda from GlobalPort
    • Talk 'n Text acquired Jay Washington from GlobalPort and Matt Ganuelas from NLEX via GlobalPort
    • GlobalPort acquired a 2017 first round pick from Talk 'n Text
  11. ^ August 24, 2015: NLEX to Rain or Shine[13]
    • Rain or Shine acquired a second round pick
    • NLEX acquired Simon Enciso
  12. ^ March 1, 2016: NorthPort (GlobalPort) to Phoenix[14]
    • Phoenix acquired a second round pick
    • GlobalPort acquired Jeric Fortuna
    December 10, 2014: San Miguel to NorthPort (GlobalPort)[15]
    • GlobalPort acquired the pick and a 2019 second round pick, and re-acquired Sol Mercado
    • San Miguel re-acquired Alex Cabagnot
  13. ^ November 16, 2015: Ginebra to Barako Bull (Phoenix)[16]

Draft-day trades

[edit]

No trades were allowed during the draft day as requested by commissioner Willie Marcial.[17]

Draft picks per school

[edit]
School 1st round After 1st round Total
Letran 1 3 4
Adamson 0 4 4
Lyceum 2 1 3
National U 2 1 3
UP 1 2 3
UE 0 3 3
Ateneo 0 3 3
San Beda 2 0 2
UST 0 2 2
Far Eastern 0 2 2
Other schools 1 each

Undrafted players

[edit]
Name School PBA D-League team
Jeric Serrano Lyceum Zark's Burger
Emanuel Calo Visayas MP Hotel
A. J. Coronel Perpetual
Clark Derige UE Batangas-EAC
Jerome Garcia EAC Batangas-EAC
Ralph Salcedo Arellano Marinerong Pilipino

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2018 PBA draft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2018 PBA draft, officially known as the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, was the annual selection event organized by the (PBA) on December 16, 2018, at Robinsons Place , allowing the league's 12 teams to choose from a pool of eligible amateur and overseas professional players to bolster their rosters. The draft featured a highly anticipated top-heavy first round, headlined by the selection of Jaymar "CJ" Perez from by the Columbian Dyip with the first overall pick, followed by Bobby Ray Parks Jr. from going second to the Blackwater Elite, and Robert Bolick Jr. from San Beda College selected third by the . A notable surprise occurred at the fourth pick when the , under coach , chose Paul Desiderio from the , bypassing several higher-projected prospects and sparking discussions about the pick's value. The remaining first-round selections included Trevis Jackson (fifth, Meralco Bolts), Javee Mocon (sixth, ), Abu Tratter (seventh, ), Rodolfo "Jayjay" Alejandro (eighth, Rain or Shine), Jesper Ayaay (ninth, Alaska Aces), Michael Calisaan (tenth, Magnolia Hotshots), John Paul Calvo (eleventh, Columbian Dyip), and Jorey Napoles (twelfth, Phoenix Fuel Masters). Subsequent rounds extended to five picks, with teams like Rain or Shine adding depth through selections such as Bong Quinto (fourteenth, via trade considerations in prior deals) and Gideon Babilonia (seventeenth, ), while several franchises passed on later opportunities, reflecting a focus on immediate contributors over long-term projects. The event, broadcast on 5 and attended by 48 applicants who participated in a pre-draft rookie camp, underscored the PBA's emphasis on blending collegiate standouts and international experience to maintain competitive balance across the league.

Background

Event details

The 2018 PBA Rookie Draft took place on December 16, 2018, at Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita. The event was held during the league's off-season, following the conclusion of the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup, and served as the primary mechanism for teams to acquire new talent from the amateur pool. PBA Commissioner , who had assumed the role earlier that year in January 2018, oversaw the proceedings. The draft consisted of six rounds, allowing the league's 12 teams to select players in a predetermined order based on reverse standings from the previous conference. In total, 41 players were selected across these rounds, with selections focusing on both local amateurs and eligible Filipino-foreigners (Fil-Ams). The event was broadcast live on 5, including channels like The 5 Network and PBA Rush, drawing significant attention from fans and scouts. No trades were permitted during the draft itself, as per league policy enforced by Marcial to maintain order. This format emphasized strategic preparation by teams leading up to the selections.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the 2018 PBA draft, local-born applicants were required to maintain status, meaning they could not have any prior experience in any league. This ensured that local players in the draft pool transitioned directly from collegiate, developmental, or international circuits without compensation at a level. Filipino-foreign (Fil-Am) applicants, however, could have prior experience overseas subject to waivers. All applicants had to be at least 23 years old, with exceptions for those who earned a college degree before age 23 or had served on a national team. Citizenship rules mandated that all entrants be natural-born Filipinos or naturalized citizens, with special provisions for Fil-Ams requiring verification of their Filipino ancestry through Philippine passport holders and other documentation. A contestability period for Fil-Am eligibility verification ran from October 30 to November 29, 2018, allowing teams and the league to challenge any disputed claims before the draft. Application deadlines differed by category: local-born players had until December 3, 2018, to submit, while Fil-foreign applicants faced an earlier cutoff of October 26, 2018; aptitude tests for local-born candidates occurred on October 16-17, 2018, and for Fil-Ams on October 23-24, 2018. Additionally, Fil-foreign applicants under 28 years old needed to demonstrate participation in the , with a minimum requirement of at least 14 games played to establish residency and visibility, though waivers were possible for those with equivalent experience in foreign leagues. Players failing to meet this threshold were excluded from consideration. In total, 48 players met all criteria and officially entered the draft pool, including standout prospects like and .

Draft order

Determination process

The draft order for the 2018 PBA rookie draft was determined by the teams' performances in the 2017–18 PBA season using a weighted system based on their final rankings in each of the three conferences. The Philippine Cup ranking accounted for 40% of the total points, while the Commissioner's Cup and Governors' Cup rankings each contributed 30%. A team's rank in a conference was assigned points from 1 (best) to 12 (worst), and the total weighted score was calculated as 0.4 × Philippine Cup rank + 0.3 × Commissioner's Cup rank + 0.3 × Governors' Cup rank. The team with the highest (worst) total score received the No. 1 overall pick. This system rewarded underperforming teams while emphasizing the all-Filipino Philippine Cup. Columbian Dyip earned the top pick with the worst overall performance across the conferences. Unlike later PBA drafts that introduced a lottery for top picks, the 2018 draft had no random element and relied entirely on the weighted rankings. Pre-draft trades adjusted the order; for example, the Phoenix Fuel Masters traded their fourth pick to the in exchange for veterans Alex Mallari and Dave Marcelo, allowing NLEX to select fourth. These trades, completed before the December 16 draft, were reflected in the final sequence. Ties in conference standings were resolved using standard PBA tiebreaker rules, including head-to-head records and the quotient system (points scored divided by points allowed). These tiebreakers determined the final rankings within each conference, which directly impacted the weighted draft order.

Final order

The final first-round draft order, after applying the weighted ranking system and pre-draft trades, positioned the teams as follows for picks 1 through 12:
PositionTeamNotes
1Columbian Dyip
2Blackwater Elite
3
4From Phoenix Fuel Masters
5
6
7
8
9Alaska Aces
10Magnolia Hotshots
11Columbian Dyip
12Phoenix Fuel Masters
This order was consistent across all rounds unless further trades occurred on draft day.

Draft selections

First round

The first round of the 2018 PBA draft, held on December 16, 2018, at Robinsons Place , showcased a talented pool of prospects, with teams prioritizing versatile guards and forwards to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. The Columbian Dyip secured the top pick, selecting CJ from , a former NCAA MVP known for his scoring and playmaking abilities. Blackwater Elite followed with the second overall selection of shooting guard Bobby Ray Parks Jr. from National University, a two-time UAAP MVP who brought international experience, including stints in the NBA G League with teams like the Texas Legends. NorthPort Batang Pier then drafted point guard Robert Bolick from San Beda University at third overall, a dynamic playmaker who earned Mythical Five honors in the NCAA. The fourth pick marked a surprise when NLEX Road Warriors chose shooting guard Paul Desiderio from the University of the Philippines, a local favorite celebrated for his leadership and clutch performances despite not being a consensus top prospect. The remainder of the first round saw teams addressing needs for size and perimeter defense, with selections spanning both local collegiate standouts and a lone Fil-American . The following table summarizes all 12 first-round picks:
PickTeamPlayerPositionHeightCollege/SchoolBrief Bio
1Columbian DyipGuard6-2NCAA MVP and Draft Combine standout; explosive scorer and facilitator.
2Blackwater EliteBobby Ray Parks Jr.SG/PG6-42x UAAP MVP with experience; versatile scorer with international pro background.
3PG/SG6-1NCAA Mythical Five member; elite court vision and scoring guard.
4Guard6-0UAAP standout and fan favorite; known for leadership and upset wins.
5Trevis JacksonGuard6-0Sacramento State UniversityFil-American ; athletic defender with college experience in the US.
6Javee MoconForward6-3Versatile wing with strong rebounding; NCAA champion contributor.
7C/PF6-6Top big man prospect; dominant rebounder and shot-blocker from UAAP.
8Jayjay AlejandroGuard6-1Speedy perimeter player; UAAP defensive specialist.
9Alaska AcesJesper AyaayGuard6-1Agile combo guard; consistent scorer in NCAA play.
10Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang ManokMichael CalisaanForward6-4San Sebastian CollegeAthletic forward; Mythical Team member with rebounding prowess.
11Columbian DyipJ. P. CalvoPG5-8Colegio de San Juan de LetranUndersized but skilled ; Draft Combine MVP and NCAA awardee.
12Phoenix Fuel MastersJorey NapolesForward6-4Physical wing; strong defender from NCAA ranks.

Second round

The second round of the 2018 PBA draft, encompassing picks 13 through 24, focused on prospects projected as rotational players and specialists capable of addressing specific team deficiencies in depth and versatility, following the selection of high-upside stars in the first round. Teams prioritized standouts with proven roles in Philippine collegiate , such as point guards for backcourt stability and big men for frontcourt reinforcement, often leveraging traded picks to target needs like perimeter defense or rebounding. This round saw several passes by teams like and , reflecting a shallower talent pool beyond the top tier, yet it yielded value selections that contributed to immediate bench production for rebuilding squads. Rain or Shine, using a pick acquired from Columbian, opened the round by selecting Paul Varilla, a 6-foot-3 small forward from the University of the East Red Warriors, valued for his athleticism and scoring potential off the bench. Meralco followed with Bong Quinto, a crafty point guard from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights who led his team in assists during his senior year, addressing the Bolts' need for playmaking depth via a pick traded from Blackwater. Magnolia then added Jeepy Faundo, a reliable center known for his rebounding prowess from the University of the Visayas, providing frontcourt insurance for their contending roster. Subsequent picks emphasized specialists, such as NLEX's Kris Porter, a sharpshooting wing from Ateneo de Manila University, and Alaska's Gideon Babilonia, a physical power forward from Jose Rizal University, both seen as low-risk additions for energy and hustle. Columbian's Cyrus Tabi, a versatile forward from the University of the Philippines, and Rain or Shine's duo of Robbie Manalang and Harold Ng, both guards from Adamson University with strong perimeter games, rounded out multiple selections for the Elasto Painters, who aggressively built depth. Phoenix closed the round with Ron Dennison, a defensive-minded forward from San Beda College, and Joe Allen Trinidad, a speedy guard from De La Salle University, targeting their rebuild with gritty role players after earlier passes by other teams. These choices highlighted teams' strategies to acquire polished collegiate performers for secondary roles rather than developmental projects.
Overall PickTeam (Notes)PlayerPositionCollege
13Rain or Shine (from Columbian)Paul VarillaSF
14 (from Blackwater)Bong QuintoPGColegio de San Juan de Letran
15 (from NorthPort)Jeepy FaundoC
16NLEXKris PorterSG/SF
17Gideon BabiloniaPFJose Rizal University
18ColumbianCyrus TabiPF
19Rain or ShineRobbie ManalangPG
20Rain or ShineHarold NgSG
21Pass--
22Pass--
23PhoenixRon DennisonPFSan Beda College
24PhoenixJoe Allen TrinidadPG
The round's value was evident in selections like Quinto and Faundo, who quickly integrated as reliable contributors, underscoring the draft's depth in addressing team-specific gaps such as backcourt leadership and interior presence without the premium cost of first-round assets.

Third round

The third round of the 2018 PBA draft, held on at Robinsons Place , emphasized developmental prospects from Philippine collegiate leagues, including guards and big men with potential for future roles but limited immediate impact. These selections targeted raw talents needing refinement through stints or development, contrasting with the more polished picks in prior rounds. The round saw some teams passing on selections, reflecting a focus on roster depth over quantity. The following table lists the third-round picks, including player positions and collegiate backgrounds where applicable:
PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool/Background
25ColumbianTeytey TeodoroPG/SGJose Rizal University
26BlackwaterDiego DarioPGUniversity of the Philippines
27NorthPortEdrian LaoF/CUniversity of Visayas
28PhoenixIvan VillanuevaSFAdamson University
29MeralcoSteven CudalPF/CUniversity of the East
30TNT KaTropaJeffrey OngtecoF/CCollege of St. Benilde
31NLEXKyles LaoGUniversity of the Philippines
32Rain or ShineKent LaoPFUniversity of Santo Tomas
33AlaskaPass--
34MagnoliaPass--
35San MiguelRyan MonteclaroPGAdamson University
36GinebraMatt SalemSFNational University
Notable among these were former UAAP and NCAA standouts like Teodoro, a quick from JRU known for his playmaking instincts, and Salem, a Fil-American forward from NU with athletic versatility but overlooked due to his late-draft slide. The round's lower visibility stemmed from its emphasis on long-term projects rather than high-profile acquisitions, with most players entering via D-League affiliations for skill honing.

Fourth round

The fourth round selections in the 2018 PBA draft focused on lesser-known local prospects to provide roster depth and options, with teams opting for players from Philippine collegiate programs rather than Fil-American or international talents. These picks, occurring after the initial rounds' emphasis on high-upside stars, highlighted a to bolster team benches with agile guards and wings experienced in domestic leagues like the UAAP and NCAA. No trades were reported during this round, and several teams passed on later selections due to limited remaining needs. The following table summarizes all fourth round picks and passes (37–48), emphasizing players' local origins:
PickTeamPlayerPositionCollege
37Columbian DyipOliver ArimSG/SF
38Blackwater EliteDan AlbertoPG
39NorthPort Batang PierJeremiah TaladuaSGColegio de San Juan de Letran
40Phoenix Fuel MastersKim CincoPG
41(Pass)--
42TNT KaTropaCJ IsitPG
43Dan WongPG
44Al Josef CariagaPG
45Alaska Aces(Pass)--
46Magnolia Hotshots(Pass)--
47(Pass)--
48(Pass)--
These players, all hailing from Philippine universities or with local ties, underscored a pattern of prioritizing domestic development over foreign-bred athletes in the late rounds, allowing teams to invest in familiar collegiate systems for long-term growth. Meralco's pass at No. 41 and subsequent passes exemplified how some franchises conserved resources, anticipating undrafted free agent signings.

Fifth round

The fifth round of the 2018 PBA draft consisted of just two selections out of a possible 12, as most teams passed on further picks to focus resources on earlier rounds or pursue undrafted free agents instead. The first team in the draft order (Columbian Dyip) passed, followed by selections from the next two teams. These late choices typically served as low-risk additions for team depth, targeting players with niche skills or international experience for potential long-term development rather than immediate rotation contributions. Blackwater Elite used the 50th overall pick to select Chris dela Peña, a 5'9" from known for his playmaking and perimeter shooting in collegiate play. This pick aligned with Blackwater's strategy of bolstering backcourt options with agile, high-IQ guards to complement their rebuilding efforts. NorthPort Batang Pier followed with the 51st pick, drafting John Ragasa, a 6'5" forward who had competed professionally with the United Raptors in the Basketball League. Ragasa's selection emphasized NorthPort's interest in versatile wings with overseas exposure to add physicality and shooting range without significant short-term pressure. The remaining teams—Meralco Bolts, TNT KaTropa, NLEX Road Warriors, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Alaska Aces, Magnolia Hotshots, and Phoenix Fuel Masters—all passed on fifth-round opportunities, signaling a preference for quantity in prior rounds over speculative late additions.
PickPlayerPositionTeamCollege/Notes
50Chris dela PeñaPGBlackwater Elite
51John RagasaSFMekong United Raptors (ASEAN)

Sixth round

The sixth round of the 2018 PBA draft concluded the event without any player selections, as all teams with remaining picks chose to pass. This followed the selection of 41 players across the first five rounds, with the final pick being John Ragasa by at No. 51 overall in the fifth round. Such passes in later rounds are common in PBA drafts, allowing teams to allocate resources toward more promising talents or undrafted free agents for developmental or training camp purposes. In this case, all 12 teams passed on their sixth-round picks (slots 61–72). The absence of picks in the sixth round highlighted the limited depth perceived in the applicant pool beyond the early rounds, with teams prioritizing roster spots for established or higher-upside prospects.

Trades involving draft picks

Pre-draft trades

Prior to the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft on December 16, several teams engaged in trades that exchanged future draft picks, primarily to acquire established players or reposition assets for the upcoming event. These transactions, spanning from 2016 through mid-December 2018, reshaped the selection order by swapping first- and second-round picks among teams, allowing franchises to target specific prospects or bolster immediate rosters. One of the earliest significant deals occurred on November 3, 2016, in a three-team trade involving , Mahindra Enforcer (later ), and Star Hotshots. San Miguel sent veteran guard Ryan Araña and their 2018 first-round pick to Mahindra, while receiving point guard (via Mahindra from Star) and forward Keith Agovida from Mahindra. Star, in turn, traded Garcia and Alex Mallari to Mahindra for Aldrech and Mahindra's 2017 second-round pick. This move provided Mahindra with a valuable high-lottery first-round selection, which ultimately became the No. 11 overall pick in the final draft order. In June 2018, Phoenix Fuel Masters acquired Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's 2018 first-round in exchange for veteran wingman Jeff Chan, positioning Phoenix to potentially secure two top-10 selections in what was anticipated to be a talent-rich draft class heavy on guards. This trade enhanced Phoenix's draft capital, projecting their original in the top five and Ginebra's around the ninth or tenth spot, though subsequent deals altered their final holdings. Several second-round pick swaps also took place earlier in the offseason cycle. On November 16, 2015, Barako Bull Energy (rights later retained by Phoenix) obtained Barangay Ginebra's 2018 second-round pick along with in exchange for . Additionally, on August 27, 2015, traded their 2018 second-round pick to for , while a May 10, 2016, deal saw NLEX gain Phoenix's 2018 second-round pick plus Mac Baracael and Emman Monfort for Mark Borboran and Enciso. These maneuvers primarily involved depth players and lower-stakes assets, with Blackwater Elite notably accumulating multiple future second-rounders through similar negotiations to build flexibility. The most immediate pre-draft adjustment came on December 13, 2018, when Phoenix traded their No. 4 overall first-round pick and their 2019 second-round pick to NLEX in exchange for guards Alex Mallari and Dave , granting NLEX consecutive top-five selections and allowing Phoenix to address immediate backcourt needs. Overall, these pre-draft exchanges contributed to a fluid final draft order, with teams like NLEX and Phoenix leveraging picks for strategic gains while others, such as Mahindra, benefited from earlier acquisitions to target mid-first-round talent.

Draft-day trades

In the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft held on December 16, 2018, no trades were executed during the event itself. PBA Commissioner explicitly instructed teams to refrain from submitting any proposals on , aiming to give his five-man adequate time to thoroughly review potential transactions prior to the draft's conclusion. This prohibition halted several ongoing discussions, such as the potential transfer of guard from TNT KaTropa to , which was ultimately completed two days later on December 18. The policy ensured a smoother draft process focused on selections without real-time disruptions, though it deferred multiple roster adjustments to the immediate post-draft period.

Post-draft outcomes

Picks by school

The 2018 PBA draft showcased a strong pipeline from Philippine collegiate basketball, with the majority of the 41 selected players hailing from universities affiliated with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These two premier leagues accounted for over 70% of the draftees, underscoring their role as primary talent feeders for professional basketball in the country. A total of 10 schools produced multiple selections, highlighting the competitive depth within local college hoops. Several institutions stood out for their contributions across various rounds. , a UAAP powerhouse, had three players drafted: forward Kris Porter (second round, 16th overall by ), center Gideon Babilonia (second round, 17th overall by Alaska Aces), and guard Dan Wong (fourth round, 38th overall by ). from the NCAA contributed two key prospects: guard (first round, 3rd overall by ) and forward Javee Mocon (first round, 6th overall by ). The , fresh off a historic UAAP finals appearance, also placed three players: guard (first round, 4th overall by ), guard Diego Dario (third round, 24th overall by Blackwater Elite), and guard Kyles Lao (third round, 29th overall by ). Other notable schools included (NCAA) with three selections—guard (first round, 1st overall by Columbian Dyip), forward MJ Ayaay (first round, 9th overall by Alaska Aces), and forward Kim Cinco (fourth round, 36th overall by Phoenix Fuel Masters)—and National University (UAAP) with three: guard (first round, 2nd overall by Blackwater Elite), forward Jayjay Alejandro (first round, 8th overall by ), and forward Matt Salem (third round, 32nd overall by ). Colegio de San Juan de Letran (NCAA) led with five draftees, primarily in the first and later rounds, including guard JP Calvo (first round, 11th overall by Columbian Dyip) and forward Bong Quinto (second round, 14th overall by ). (UAAP) and (UAAP) each had three players selected, reflecting balanced representation from mid-tier programs.
SchoolNumber of PicksNotable Players and Rounds
Colegio de San Juan de Letran (NCAA)5JP Calvo (1st round, 11th overall), Bong Quinto (2nd round, 14th overall), Ivan Villanueva (3rd round, 26th overall), Jeremiah Taladua (4th round, 35th overall), Chrisantoni dela Pena (5th round, 40th overall)
Ateneo de Manila University (UAAP)3Kris Porter (2nd round, 16th overall), Gideon Babilonia (2nd round, 17th overall), Dan Wong (4th round, 38th overall)
University of the Philippines (UAAP)3Paul Desiderio (1st round, 4th overall), Diego Dario (3rd round, 24th overall), Kyles Lao (3rd round, 29th overall)
Lyceum of the Philippines University (NCAA)3CJ Perez (1st round, 1st overall), MJ Ayaay (1st round, 9th overall), Kim Cinco (4th round, 36th overall)
National University (UAAP)3Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (1st round, 2nd overall), Jayjay Alejandro (1st round, 8th overall), Matt Salem (3rd round, 32nd overall)
Adamson University (UAAP)3Robbie Manalang (2nd round, 19th overall), Harold Ng (2nd round, 20th overall), Ryan Monteclaro (3rd round, 31st overall)
University of the East (UAAP)3Paul Varilla (2nd round, 13th overall), Steven Cudal (3rd round, 27th overall), Dan Alberto (4th round, 34th overall)
San Beda University (NCAA)2Robert Bolick (1st round, 3rd overall), Javee Mocon (1st round, 6th overall)
University of Santo Tomas (UAAP)2Jeepy Faundo (2nd round, 15th overall), Kent Lao (3rd round, 30th overall)
Far Eastern University (UAAP)2Ron Dennison (2nd round, 21st overall), Joe Trinidad (2nd round, 22nd overall)
While UAAP and NCAA dominated, a few draftees came from outside these leagues, including international prospects like guard Trevis Jackson from Sacramento State University (first round, 5th overall by ) and forward Al Josef Cariaga from the University of Southern Alberta (fourth round, 39th overall by ), as well as players from regional or D-League backgrounds such as Edrian Lao from University of Visayas (third round, 25th overall by ). This mix illustrates the PBA's broadening scouting scope beyond traditional circuits, though local institutions remained the core source of talent.

Undrafted players

Several notable players from the pool of 48 applicants to the 2018 PBA draft went undrafted after 41 selections were made across multiple rounds. These included Emmanuel Calo of the , AJ Coronel of University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Clark Derige of the , Jerome Garcia of College, Joseph Manlangit of , Ralph Salcedo of , and Jeric Serrano of . Many of these undrafted players pursued professional opportunities in the PBA Developmental League (D-League) or the (MPBL), showcasing their skills and earning contracts as free agents. For instance, Clark Derige joined Batangas-EAC in the , where he averaged notable scoring contributions, including a 28-point performance in a 2018 upset win over . Similarly, Jerome Garcia signed with the same Batangas-EAC squad, contributing 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists in a key 2018 victory against Jose Rizal University. Jeric Serrano was selected second overall in the 2019 PBA D-League Draft by Marinerong Pilipino, providing forward depth and defensive presence in their campaigns. In the burgeoning MPBL, Emmanuel Calo emerged as a standout for , exploding for 21 points in a 2018 win over and using the exposure to build his professional profile; as of 2025, he continues to compete in the league. AJ Coronel found success with the Pasay Voyagers, delivering efficient scoring lines such as 17 points on perfect shooting in a 2025 matchup against . Joseph Manlangit transitioned to the with Cafe France Bakers before expanding into , where he helped #StrongerTogether claim the 2024 PBA 3x3 title. Ralph Salcedo competed in the MPBL with teams like Rizal Golden Coolers, leveraging his forward versatility in regional play as of 2025. These paths illustrate how the undrafted route offered viable alternatives to the main PBA roster, with several players achieving longevity in developmental and semi-professional circuits.

References

  1. https://www.espn.ph/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25545426/perez-parks-bolick-go-1-2-3-pba-rookie-draft
  2. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/12/16/1877381/perez-parks-lead-pba-rookie-draft
  3. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/678386/the-2018-pba-rookie-draft-picks/story/
  4. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25555819/grading-2018-pba-rookie-draft
  5. https://philippinebasketball.neocities.org/pba.past2018draft
  6. https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/219028-cj-perez-number-1-pick-rookie-draft-2018/
  7. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25536054/espn5-2018-pba-rookie-final-mock-draft
  8. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/willie-marcial-unanimously-voted-pba-commissioner/106736
  9. https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1056822
  10. https://www.pba.ph/news/pba-opens-2018-draft-application
  11. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/24640230/pba-announces-deadlines-2018-rookie-draft-applicants
  12. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/09/13/1851103/pba-impose-draft-limits
  13. https://www.pba.ph/news/perez-parks-bolick-lead-48-hopefuls-to-2018-pba-rookie-draft
  14. https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/218819-nlex-gets-number-4-pick-trades-mallari-marcelo-phoenix/
  15. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25522833/fuel-masters-agree-trade-no-4-pick-road-warriors
  16. https://pba.inquirer.net/1473/all-about-the-pba-quotient
  17. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/12/17/1877767/looking-1st-round-2018-pba-draft
  18. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25439037/pba-rookie-draft-power-rankings-week-4
  19. https://stats.gleague.nba.com/player/1627350/
  20. http://ph-ballgm.blogspot.com/2018/12/complete-result-of-2018-pba-draft.html
  21. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/perez-parks-bolick-are-top-3-in-pba-draft-as-desiderio-made-no-4-pick-by-nlex-a2437-20181216
  22. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/teytey-teodoro-looks-to-develop-leadership-instincts-in-pba-d-league/75542
  23. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/letran-squires-ivan-villanueva-adamson-falcons-ncaa-uaap
  24. https://www.uaapsports.tv/sports-basketball-rosters-ue.html
  25. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/former-stalwart-kyles-lao-throws-name-draft/135766
  26. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-men/kent-lao-free-throw-gives-ust-win
  27. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/ryan-monteclaro-pba-draft-batang-pba-adamson-falcons-vietnam-saigon-sports-academy-a2437-20181213
  28. https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/18/18/pba-draft-matt-salem-cant-wait-to-learn-from-ginebra-veterans
  29. https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/102982-dan-alberto-ineligible-ue-uaap-78/
  30. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/ncaa-men/ambohot-taladua-letran-knights-key-to-success-n
  31. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/ncaa-men/lyceum-s-kim-cinco-tops-ncaa-basketball-skills-showdown-a2437-20210808
  32. https://sports.inquirer.net/224330/isit-ends-college-career-sans-title-but-with-left-eye-cut
  33. https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/12/18/projected-top-picks-lead-way-in-day-1-of-pba-draft-combine
  34. https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/16/18/pba-columbian-dyip-makes-cj-perez-top-pick-of-2018-draft
  35. https://sports.inquirer.net/331654/late-2018-pba-draft-pick-john-ragasa-to-work-on-his-defense-hopes-to-get-roster-spot-with-northport
  36. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25545426/perez-parks-bolick-go-1-2-3-pba-rookie-draft
  37. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/phoenix-future-in-mind-as-team-gets-to-pick-two-first-round-picks-in-2018-draft-out-of-jeff-chan-trade
  38. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/alex-mallari-trade-nlex-phoenix-deal-pba-trade-a793-20181213
  39. https://www.dugout.ph/2016/11/mahindra-gets-busy-in-transfer-window.html
  40. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/pba-journeymen-rr-garcia-kg-canaleta-joseph-yeo-sean-anthony-doug-kramer-rico-maierhofer-sol-mercado-gabby-espinas-chico-lanete
  41. https://pba.inquirer.net/transactions
  42. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1056706
  43. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/no-trades-allowed-pba-draft-willie-marcial-terrence-romeo-a2437-20181216
  44. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ray-parks-jr-kris-porter-miss-pba-draft-ceremonies/137200
  45. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/gboy-babilonia-gido-babilonia-pba-draft-a795-20181213
  46. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25546356/desiderio-goes-0-14-uaap-no-4-pba-draft
  47. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/25498041/up-tandem-desiderio-dario-last-apply-pba-rookie-draft
  48. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ex-maroon-kyles-lao-no-regrets-entering-pba-draft/137060
  49. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/12/18/1877875/sound-bites-draftees
  50. https://www.espn.com/basketball/pba/story/_/id/23760017/pba-d-league-chelu-bounces-back-batangas-stuns-ceu
  51. https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/2018-pba-dleague-aspirants-cup-batangas-eac-shellshocks-jru-breakthrough-win/109580
  52. https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/221050-joshua-munzon-santi-santillan-headine-d-league-draft-2019/
  53. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/calo-determined-to-sustain-fine-start-with-davao-occidental-a801-20180627
  54. https://www.facebook.com/mpblofficialph/videos/mpbl-in-slow-motion-emman-calo-leaving-it-all-out-on-the-court-for-his-family-and/3220877894755342/
  55. https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/orlan-wamar-s-6-fourth-quarter-treys-lists-san-juan-knights-a1373-20250501
  56. https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Joseph-Manlangit/387028
  57. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sedurifa-leads-meralco-to-pba-3x3-season-3-title
  58. https://www.sofascore.com/basketball/player/ralph-chysler-salcedo/1969700
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.