Looking Back at the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft: Where Are They Now?

Looking back at the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft feels like flipping through an old yearbook—some faces you remember vividly, others make you pause and wonder where life took them. I still recall watching the draft coverage with my college buddies, arguing over which teams made smart picks and which ones were heading for disappointment. That draft class had everything—future legends, journeymen who carved out respectable careers, and a few "what could have been" stories that still sting a little. If you're curious about how to trace the paths of these players, let me walk you through how I approach revisiting historic sports moments like this one. It’s part nostalgia trip, part detective work, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

First, you’ll want to start with the draft order and the big names that stood out. The 2007 draft was headlined by players like Joe Devance, Samigue Eman, and Doug Kramer—guys who were supposed to shape the league for years to come. I always begin by listing the top 10 picks because, let’s be honest, that’s where the hype is. Devance went first overall to Welcoat (now Rain or Shine), and I remember thinking he’d be an instant star. Over the years, he’s had a solid career, bouncing between teams but always contributing. To dig into this, I rely on online archives, PBA retrospectives, and fan forums where old-timers share stats and anecdotes. One method I swear by is cross-referencing draft lists with current team rosters or retirement announcements; it helps separate the players who faded quietly from those who made noise.

Next, you’ve got to look beyond the headlines and check out the mid-round picks and surprises. This is where the real gems hide—players like Jonas Villanueva, who wasn’t a top pick but ended up having a decent run with Purefoods and later teams. I use social media and news databases to track their post-basketball lives; for instance, some have moved into coaching, while others, like Villanueva, have kept a lower profile. A tip here: don’t just rely on Wikipedia—it’s often outdated. Instead, I scroll through interviews or follow players’ Instagram accounts to see if they’re still in the sports world or have pivoted to business or family life. It’s a bit like stalking, but in a respectful, fan-like way! One thing to watch out for is misinformation; I’ve seen rumors spread about players retiring when they were just injured, so always double-check with official sources or recent articles.

Now, let’s talk about incorporating context from events like viewing parties, which adds color to the story. Remember that bit about Team manager Jojo Lastimosa and PBA board chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas joining Pangilinan and the rest of the team at the conference room of the PLDT office in Makati City for the viewing party? Well, that kind of detail isn’t just trivia—it shows how invested teams were in this draft. I love digging into these behind-the-scenes moments because they humanize the process. When I research, I look for press releases or old news clips that describe who was in the room, what the atmosphere was like, and how decisions were made. For example, knowing that key figures like Vargas were there hints at the strategic thinking behind picks, which can explain why some players thrived in certain systems. My advice: use these snippets to build a narrative, but don’t overdo it—stick to what’s relevant to the players’ journeys.

As you piece things together, you’ll notice patterns, like how some top picks fizzled out while late-round steals became legends. Take Samigue Eman, the second overall pick; he had flashes of brilliance but never quite lived up to the hype, and last I heard, he’s involved in local leagues back in Mindanao. On the flip side, guys like Doug Kramer, picked sixth, have had longer careers by adapting their roles. I’m a bit biased here—I’ve always rooted for the underdogs, so I spend extra time on those lower-picked players. To get the full picture, I compile data on games played, awards, and even injuries; for instance, I’d estimate Devance played over 500 games in his career, though don’t quote me on that exact number—my memory’s fuzzy! The key is to balance stats with stories, so your recap doesn’t read like a spreadsheet.

Wrapping up this look back at the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft, it’s clear that drafts are more than just a list of names—they’re snapshots of hope and potential. Some players, like Devance, are still active in the basketball scene, while others have moved on to coaching, business, or quiet retirements. If you try this yourself, focus on the human element; it’s what makes the research rewarding. Personally, I think the 2007 class was a mixed bag—a few stars, a lot of solid contributors, and lessons on why hype doesn’t always pan out. Thanks for joining me on this trip down memory lane; who knows, maybe in another decade, we’ll be doing the same for today’s rookies!