Looking Back at the Complete 2015 PBA Draft List and Player Outcomes
Looking back at the 2015 PBA Draft feels like revisiting a pivotal moment in Philippine volleyball history. I remember sitting in the draft venue that year, feeling the electric anticipation as team representatives shuffled their papers and fans speculated about which prospects would become franchise players. What strikes me most now, nearly a decade later, is how that draft class became the foundation for something much bigger—the Philippines' first-ever World Championship team in men's volleyball. Of the 21 names called that day, only 14 would ultimately make that historic roster, a statistic that speaks volumes about both the draft's hits and misses.
The first round selections particularly stand out in my memory. Marck Espejo going first overall felt inevitable even then—his collegiate dominance at Ateneo made him the consensus choice. What we couldn't have predicted was how quickly he'd transition into international success. His vertical leap and attacking precision made him an obvious centerpiece for the national team. Then there was John Vic De Guzman at number two, whose leadership qualities were evident even during his college days. I've always appreciated how his game isn't about flashy statistics but about consistent, intelligent play that elevates everyone around him. These two players alone accounted for nearly 30% of the national team's scoring in their first international tournament together, though I'd need to double-check the exact figures to be certain.
What fascinates me about analyzing drafts years later is seeing which late-round picks outperformed expectations. Rex Intal, selected in the second round, developed into one of our most reliable middle blockers despite not being heavily scouted coming out of college. His blocking timing improved dramatically in his first three professional seasons—I'd estimate his block success rate jumped from around 15% to nearly 35% during that period. Meanwhile, some highly-touted first rounders like Ish Polvorosa, while solid professionals, never quite reached the heights we expected when they were drafted. That's the unpredictable nature of player development—sometimes the intangibles matter more than the measurables.
The seven drafted players who didn't make the World Championship roster tell their own story. Some struggled with injuries at crucial moments, others faced stiff competition at their positions, and a few simply plateaued in their development. I recall one third-round pick who showed tremendous potential during the preseason but never translated it to consistent professional performance. These aren't necessarily draft "busts"—the margin between making a national team and not can be razor-thin. Still, seeing those names omitted from the final 14 reminds us how difficult reaching the sport's highest level truly is.
From my perspective covering Philippine volleyball through multiple cycles, the 2015 draft class stands as particularly significant because it represented a shift toward prioritizing athleticism and international potential. Previous drafts often focused heavily on local collegiate performance, but teams were starting to think bigger—about how these players might fare against world-class competition. This forward-thinking approach directly contributed to assembling that groundbreaking World Championship squad. The draft yielded approximately 67% of the players who would make history, which is actually a pretty decent success rate when you consider how many variables determine whether a prospect pans out.
What I find most compelling about tracking these players' journeys is witnessing how draft position ultimately matters less than development environment and personal drive. One player selected late in the third round, Mark Alfafara, became a key rotational player for the national team despite being the 18th name called that day. His work ethic in training camps was legendary—I remember watching him stay late after practices to perfect his service reception, often putting in an extra 90 minutes when others had already showered. That kind of dedication is what separates the 14 who made it from the 7 who didn't.
The legacy of the 2015 PBA Draft extends beyond individual careers. It demonstrated that strategic drafting could build not just club teams but a competitive national program. The chemistry developed among these players as they progressed through the professional ranks together created a foundation of understanding that served the national team well. Their shared experiences in the PBA meant they entered international competitions with existing partnerships and familiar patterns—advantages you can't quickly manufacture. As I reflect on that draft class today, I'm struck by how it represents both the science and art of talent evaluation. The numbers tell part of the story, but the human elements—development, chemistry, perseverance—complete it.
