Looking back at the 2013 PBA Draft feels like flipping through an old basketball yearbook filled with faded promises and unexpected career trajectories. I remember sitting in the draft venue that year, feeling the electric anticipation as teams prepared to shape their futures. What strikes me most now isn't just how these players' careers unfolded, but how their paths reflect the evolving landscape of Philippine basketball and its growing connections across Asia.
The top pick that year was Greg Slaughter, a towering center from Ateneo who everyone expected to dominate the paint for years. Standing at 7 feet tall, he was practically destined for basketball greatness in a league that has always valued size. I recall watching his rookie season where he averaged 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds - numbers that made everyone believe we were witnessing the emergence of the next great Filipino big man. His partnership with Japeth Aguilar created what many called the "Twin Towers" combination that brought Ginebra numerous playoff appearances. Yet somewhere along the way, the narrative changed. After six seasons with Ginebra, Slaughter took what many considered a surprising path - playing in Japan's B.League before making his way to the Taiwan Mustangs in The Asian Tournament. I've always found it fascinating how players like Slaughter demonstrate that career paths aren't always linear, and that the definition of success evolves beyond traditional PBA stardom.
Then there was the second pick, Terrence Romeo, whose flashy style and scoring ability made him an instant fan favorite. I remember one particular game where he dropped 41 points against Alaska - the kind of performance that makes you jump out of your seat. His career has been like a rollercoaster, from being a three-time scoring champion to facing injuries that sidelined him at crucial moments. What many don't realize is that Romeo actually played under coach Tab Baldwin with the Gilas team before his professional career fully blossomed - that experience clearly shaped his understanding of international basketball. Even now, watching him play, you can see traces of that Gilas influence in his decision-making and defensive awareness.
The third selection, Ian Sangalang, represents what I'd call the steady-eddy success story. While he never generated the headlines that Slaughter or Romeo did, he's been remarkably consistent for Magnolia. I've tracked his statistics over the years - he's averaged around 12-15 points throughout most of his career while shooting at about 48% from the field. These might not be flashy numbers, but they represent the kind of reliability coaches dream of. His game lacks the fireworks of some draftees, but there's something to be said about a player who shows up, does his job, and contributes to winning basketball year after year.
What fascinates me about reviewing this draft class is noticing how many players eventually found their way to international opportunities after their Gilas experiences. Raymond Almazan, picked fourth, also had his stint with the national team before establishing himself as a reliable big man. I've always believed that exposure to coach Tab Baldwin's system did wonders for these players' development, even if the immediate results weren't always visible. The discipline and international perspective they gained clearly influenced their career choices later on, including decisions to play in regional competitions like The Asian Tournament.
The real surprise of that draft, in my opinion, was how late Justin Melton was picked at 13th overall. I've always been partial to players who exceed expectations, and Melton's athleticism and defensive intensity made him one of the most valuable role players in recent memory. His vertical leap of about 42 inches made him a human highlight reel, and I'll never forget that championship game where his defensive stops completely shifted the momentum. Players like Melton remind us that draft position ultimately means very little compared to work ethic and finding the right system.
As I reflect on these careers nearly a decade later, what stands out isn't just the statistics or the championships, but how these players' journeys reflect the changing nature of basketball careers in our region. The fact that top picks like Slaughter found opportunities beyond the PBA speaks volumes about how the Asian basketball landscape has evolved. The connections between Gilas training, PBA careers, and international opportunities have created what I see as a new ecosystem for Filipino players. While we might have initially judged these players solely by their PBA achievements, their willingness to explore opportunities across Asia has rewritten the script for what a successful basketball career can look like. The 2013 draft class might not have produced the superstars everyone expected, but it certainly gave us fascinating stories about adaptation, growth, and the expanding horizons of Philippine basketball.
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