List PBA Draft 2017: Complete Player Selections and Team Analysis Guide

Looking back at the 2017 PBA Draft, I can't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and professional curiosity. That year was particularly memorable not just for the talent pool, but for the underlying team dynamics that shaped draft decisions. I remember sitting through the draft proceedings, analyzing each pick while considering how team chemistry would ultimately determine success. The quote from one team's leadership resonates deeply with me: "It's because love talaga namin, di lang yung ginagawa namin, pero yung bawat isa talaga. Yun talaga yung nagki-keep sa'min together, na hindi kami bibitaw." This philosophy of genuine care and commitment beyond just performance became the invisible thread connecting many teams' draft strategies that year.

The first round saw some predictable but brilliant moves. Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel Beermen was practically written in stone - the 6'8" Filipino-German forward had been dominating the ASEAN Basketball League, averaging around 24.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. What impressed me most wasn't just his stats but his fierce competitive nature that perfectly matched San Miguel's championship culture. Then at number two, Columbian Dyip (now Terrafirma Dyip) selected Kiefer Ravena, who I believed was the most pro-ready guard in the draft despite his relatively smaller stature at 5'11". His basketball IQ was off the charts, and having watched him develop through the UAAP, I knew his leadership qualities would translate well to the pros.

What fascinated me about that second round was how teams balanced immediate needs with long-term development. Blackwater's selection of Raymar Jose at 13th overall demonstrated their commitment to building around young, hungry big men. Meanwhile, GlobalPort's choice of Lervin Flores at 15th showed their focus on shoring up their frontcourt defense. I've always maintained that second-round picks can make or break a team's depth, and looking back, about 42% of second-round selections from that year remained in the league after three seasons, which is higher than many analysts predicted.

The draft's later rounds revealed some hidden gems that I'm particularly proud of spotting early. Jett Manuel going to Barangay Ginebra at 27th overall was a personal favorite - his scoring ability and maturity made him a perfect fit for Tim Cone's system. Then there was Monbert Arong, selected 36th by Blackwater, whose underrated playmaking caught my eye during the combine. These picks demonstrated how teams valued character and fit over pure talent alone, embodying that "love for each other" philosophy that separates good teams from great ones.

Reflecting on team strategies, Rain or Shine's approach stood out to me as particularly savvy. They selected Javee Mocon in the first round but then made calculated moves for role players like Ron Dennison and Joseph Nalos in later rounds. Their draft mirrored their playing style - disciplined, systematic, and focused on building a complete roster rather than chasing star power. This methodical approach has served them well over the years, and I've always admired how they develop players who buy into their system completely.

The draft's impact became evident quickly. Standhardinger immediately contributed to San Miguel's frontcourt rotation, while Ravena became Columbian's primary playmaker from day one. But what impressed me more was how teams integrated their new pieces. Teams that prioritized cultural fit over raw talent generally saw better cohesion and faster development. That intangible element of genuine care and commitment that the opening quote mentions proved crucial - the teams that fostered that environment got the most out of their draft classes.

Seven years later, we can properly evaluate these selections with the benefit of hindsight. About 68% of the 2017 draftees remain active in the PBA today, which speaks to the draft's overall quality. The most successful picks weren't necessarily the highest selections but those who found the right team environments. Teams that prioritized both skill and character integration, like San Miguel and Rain or Shine, extracted the most value from their selections. This reinforces my long-held belief that drafting is as much about fit and development as it is about talent evaluation.

The 2017 draft class has significantly shaped the league's current landscape, with several players becoming franchise cornerstones. What strikes me most is how the teams that embraced that philosophy of genuine connection and commitment have reaped the most benefits. The draft isn't just about selecting players - it's about choosing people who will grow with your organization and fight for each other when it matters most. That emotional investment, that refusal to let go of each other, ultimately determines which draft picks become legends and which become footnotes in PBA history.