2027 PBA DRAFT | WHAT THE OLDEST TEAMS NEED

If you compute the average age of every PBA team's roster, it's crazy to think that even the youngest team has an average age of under 30.

And now, here are the oldest rosters in the PBA at the moment.

In a league where all but one player will finish the year at age 24 or older, you'd understand why international stars aren't exactly keen on joining the PBA. Yes, for some, it's more of a fallback option. And hell, you can't blame people for calling it an insurance policy if they reach a point where they need to pad their bank accounts for retirement.

But that's the thing: most PBA careers usually start in the mid-to-late 20s. So by the time these players arrive in the PBA, they have only a few years left to potentially earn Mythical Team selections or even an MVP award.

I mean, Robert Jaworski joined the PBA when he was already 29. The same goes for Danny Florencio. Chris Tiu was already 27 when he entered the PBA Draft, and he had been out of college for four years by then.

Meanwhile, you have Terrence Romeo, who was just 21 when he debuted in the PBA. Despite everything he accomplished in his career, he was already out of the league by age 34, which is roughly the same age Jason Brickman was when he entered the PBA.

To each his own, I guess.

Anyway, come the 2027 PBA Draft, here are the teams that need to focus on getting younger, along with the positions they need to address to find the optimal players for their future.

Of course, trades, signings, and releases could still happen before the season ends.

Game starts now!

6 | NLEX ROAD WARRIORS

BEST 6 | WINSTON, BAHIO, GONZALES, BOLICK, ALAS, SEMERAD

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 3 - 1ST OVERALL (FROM BLACKWATER), 6TH OVERALL, 13TH OVERALL (FROM BLACKWATER)

It's crazy that the NLEX Road Warriors are projected to pick either first or second in the draft, considering how their 2025-26 season has unfolded. It feels like they're finally on the verge of winning a championship, especially with Jimmy Alapag leading the charge.

They have an outstanding backcourt duo in Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston. And honestly, Meralco needs to get something good from Converge because, if the sister teams really do have a rivalry, then the Road Warriors got the better end of the deal when they flipped Jonnel Policarpio for Winston compared to what TNT received when the Tropa traded Mikey Williams' rights for Jordan Heading.

But with two first-round picks, NLEX has a chance to address the remaining holes in its roster. For one, the Road Warriors need to beef up their frontcourt because, while JB Bahio and Anthony Semerad have been playing well, they stand just 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-4, respectively. Kymani Ladi and DJ Fenner are combo forwards, yet they average around 6-foot-7.

This is good for both NLEX and the player they are selecting.

If NLEX can land one of the top big men in the draft and pair him with someone like Cedrick Manzano, Allen Liwag, Raven Gonzales, Gani Stevens, or Kevin Santos, then the Road Warriors could end up as the biggest winners of the 2027 PBA Draft.

The crazy part is that they might also own the first pick of the second round, giving them another opportunity to add either a big man or a slashing wing.

And just imagine the possibility of Ladi and Dom Escobar reuniting in the PBA after playing together at Ateneo and in Caloocan.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
XYRUS TORRES	2	2024	24	2000	26
ENOCH VALDEZ	3	2023	23	2000	26
RENZ CAPULONG	1	2025	25	2000	26
SCHONNY WINSTON	3	2023	25	1998	28
JB BAHIO	3	2023	25	1998	28
LJAY GONZALES	1	2025	27	1998	28
EVAN NELLE	2	2024	26	1998	28
BRANDON RAMIREZ	2	2024	27	1997	29
MATT NIETO	7	2019	22	1997	29
RICHIE RODGER	3	2023	26	1997	29
ARVIN GAMBOA	1	2025	28	1997	29
ROBERT BOLICK	8	2018	23	1995	31
DOMINIC FAJARDO	3	2023	30	1993	33
ROBBIE HERNDON	9	2017	24	1993	33
BASER AMER	11	2015	23	1992	34
KEVIN ALAS	12	2014	23	1991	35
ANTHONY SEMERAD	12	2014	23	1991	35
KEVIN RACAL | CON	11	2015	24	1991	35
DAVE MARCELO	14	2012	23	1989	37

5 | BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL

BEST 6 | ABARRIENTOS, CU, THOMPSON, ROSARIO, HOLT, J AGUILAR

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 3 - 2ND OVERALL (FROM TERRAFIRMA), 11TH OVERALL, 23RD OVERALL

I know Ginebra won the Commissioner's Cup last season, but this has to be one of the weakest rosters they've had since they flipped Kalani Ferreria, Aris Dimaunahan, and Ervin Sotto in 2006 for Rudy Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, and Rafi Reavis.

I mean, that was the first downright imbalanced trade that paved the way for farm teams, conduits, and, ultimately, the very reason why half of the PBA teams today are still title-less.

Ginebra may have an MVP candidate in RJ Abarrientos, but they also have a 35-year-old third-year player in Stephen Holt. He's almost the same age as Troy Rosario and Scottie Thompson, and it doesn't help the Gin Kings that reliable frontman Japeth Aguilar is about to turn 40.

Worse, most of their Terrafirma acquisitions, except for the pick that turned into RJ Abarrientos, haven't panned out in Tim Cone's system.

The good thing about Ginebra, though, is that they have Terrafirma's pick in the next draft, as well as their own first- and second-round picks. That could give them some valuable pieces to build on in the future.

That said, they have to be smart with those picks, especially with Gray still struggling to find the groove that prompted the team to select him at No. 2 in the 2022 PBA Draft, while Sonny Estil has lost his rotation spot to second-rounder Cedrick Abis.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
SONNY ESTIL	1	2025	24	2001	25
CEDRICK ABIS	1	2025	25	2000	26
RJ ABARRIENTOS	2	2024	25	1999	27
KEMARK CARINO	3	2023	25	1998	28
RALPH CU	3	2023	26	1997	29
JAYSON DAVID	4	2022	26	1996	30
JEREMIAH GRAY	4	2022	26	1996	30
ISAAC GO	7	2019	23	1996	30
SCOTTIE THOMPSON	11	2015	22	1993	33
TROY ROSARIO	11	2015	23	1992	34
STEPHEN HOLT	3	2023	32	1991	35
NORBERT TORRES	11	2015	25	1990	36
NARD PINTO	12	2014	24	1990	36
JAPETH AGUILAR	17	2009	22	1987	39
RAYMOND AGUILAR	17	2009	24	1985	41

4 | TNT TROPANG 5G

BEST 6 | OFTANA, HEADING, GANUELAS-ROSSER, NAMBATAC, POGOY, KHOBUNTIN

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | THIRD ROUND

If there's one team whose actions have consistently downplayed the importance of the PBA Draft, it's TNT. While this may sound harsh, ever since their near-Grand Slam run in the 2010-11 PBA season, they really haven't landed a legitimate top draft pick.

The lone exception is RR Pogoy in 2016, if you even consider the Special Gilas Round part of that draft.

The same story applies to the 2027 PBA Draft. TNT has already ceded its premium picks to Blackwater, with the Bossing eventually flipping that selection to Rain or Shine in the Rey Nambatac trade. Ironically, Nambatac is now playing for TNT.

Then again, TNT has done an excellent job of maximizing the limited draft capital it has. The Tropang Giga traded their Season 50 first-round pick for Rain or Shine's second-round selection, which became Henry Galinato. They also picked up Kim Aurin as an undrafted rookie free agent after Ginebra passed on him. This season, they also got meaningful contributions from third-round pick Sean Quitevis and also played fourth-round selection Joe Celzo.

That said, I think TNT needs to prioritize youth from here on out because the core of its roster is aging. By 2027, the current squad will have only three players in their 20s. Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams have already embraced reduced roles as they are now in their 40s, while JP Erram is 37.

Injuries have also taken their toll on the team. And while TNT remains a title contender whenever it has a quality import, it will be difficult to sustain its championship run if it can't bring down the average age of its core.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
JOE CELZO	1	2025	25	2000	26
AVAN NAVA	2	2024	24	2000	26
SEAN QUITEVIS	1	2025	26	1999	27
HENRY GALINATO	3	2023	26	1997	29
KIM AURIN	3	2023	26	1997	29
MIKE NIETO	7	2019	22	1997	29
CALVIN OFTANA	5	2021	25	1996	30
JORDAN HEADING	5	2021	25	1996	30
TYRUS HILL	4	2022	26	1996	30
B. GANUELAS-ROSSER	4	2022	28	1994	32
REY NAMBATAC	9	2017	23	1994	32
KEVIN FERRER	10	2016	23	1993	33
PAUL VARILLA	8	2018	25	1993	33
RR POGOY	10	2016	24	1992	34
JIO JALALON	10	2016	24	1992	34
GLENN KHOBUNTIN	11	2015	24	1991	35
SIMON ENCISO	11	2015	24	1991	35
JP ERRAM	13	2013	24	1989	37
JAYSON CASTRO	18	2008	22	1986	40
KELLY WILLIAMS	20	2006	24	1982	44

3 | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS

BEST 6 | LUCERO, LASTIMOSA, SANGALANG, DELA ROSA, LEE, BARROCA

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 2 - 7TH OVERALL, 19TH OVERALL

When LA Tenorio first took over as head coach, he inherited a team built around the roster Chito Victolero had put together. Two conferences later, he's still trying to make the roster his own, and Magnolia has yet to return to the Finals.

The Hotshots have four important players on the wrong side of 30. In fact, Mark Barroca is now 40, yet he's still the team's premier point guard. The same applies to Ian Sangalang and Rome Dela Rosa, while Paul Lee's offensive production has never been the same since the injury he suffered last season.

The good thing about the Hotshots, though, is that they have plenty of young players. Zavier Lucero is arguably their best player, with Jerom Lastimosa emerging as their next main scorer. And while they lost Will Navarro to Korea, they were able to flip his rights for Arvin Tolentino's rights.

Magnolia has both a first-round and a second-round pick in the 2027 PBA Draft, so they could simply opt for the best player available. James Laput hasn't played for them in a while, but they clearly have something in Cliff Jopia. The other San Beda boys, Yukien Andrada and Peter Alfaro, are also doing their thing, albeit as second-stringers.

They could look for a big man or a combo guard in the draft, as long as they can continue developing Javi Gomez de Liano and Chris Koon.

With that in mind, though, I'm guessing the player Tenorio selects in the first round will be someone he actually wants to use. I mean, one of Tim Cone's first moves when he transitioned to Ginebra was acquiring Tenorio and Joe Devance, followed by selecting Scottie Thompson to eventually ease Mark Caguioa out of the starting five.

Tenorio could do something similar in Magnolia. He'll find the player he wants in the draft, then look to move the other pieces on his roster that still have value.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
CHRIS KOON	1	2025	24	2001	25
YUKIEN ANDRADA	1	2025	24	2001	25
GAB GOMEZ	1	2025	25	2000	26
ZAVIER LUCERO	3	2023	24	1999	27
JEROM LASTIMOSA	2	2024	26	1998	28
JAVI GÓMEZ DE LIANO	4	2022	24	1998	28
PETER ALFARO	2	2024	26	1998	28
CLIFF JOPIA	3	2023	25	1998	28
RAFFY VERANO	3	2023	26	1997	29
JAMES LAPUT	5	2021	25	1996	30
RUSSEL ESCOTO	10	2016	24	1992	34
IAN SANGALANG	13	2013	22	1991	35
ROME DELA ROSA	12	2014	24	1990	36
PAOLO TAHA	12	2014	24	1990	36
PAUL LEE	15	2011	22	1989	37
MARK BARROCA	15	2011	25	1986	40

2 | MERALCO BOLTS

BEST 6 | CANSINO, QUINTO, BRICKMAN, NEWSOME, BANCHERO, HODGE

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 2 - 9TH OVERALL, 21ST OVERALL

If there's one team we can truly say built a championship squad from the pieces they acquired through the draft, it's got to be the Meralco Bolts. This is a team that won the 2024 Philippine Cup with at least six rotation players who came through the draft.

However, they haven't made the Finals in the last five conferences, and as of this writing, they're struggling in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup. Worse, their roster is aging, with Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, and Cliff Hodge all on the wrong side of 30. Their super rookie, Jason Brickman, will also turn 35 this November.

Allein Maliksi, who turns 39 this year, and Raymond Almazan, who turned 37 this August, have both seen their minutes decrease this season. Injuries have also been a factor, which is why Meralco needs to find players who can help them in the future.

And while it's odd that a seven-year veteran like Aaron Black may have to learn from a 35-year-old rookie like Brickman, the Bolts also need to find young players who can eventually supplement their aging veterans.

If CJ Cansino can take over Maliksi's spot and Brandon Bates can eventually fill the void left by Almazan, then perhaps they need someone who can help Chris Newsome. Yes, they still need an offensive threat in the middle, but I doubt they'll find one if they're picking at the back end of the first round.

Still, it would certainly help their cause if they can find a way to bring down their average age.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
CJ CANSINO	2	2024	25	1999	27
VINCE MAGBUHOS	1	2025	26	1999	27
BRANDON BATES	3	2023	26	1997	29
JEFF COMIA	1	2025	28	1997	29
AARON BLACK	7	2019	23	1996	30
JAVEE MOCON	8	2018	23	1995	31
BONG QUINTO	8	2018	24	1994	32
RAYMAR JOSE	9	2017	25	1992	34
JASON BRICKMAN	1	2025	34	1991	35
JANSEN RIOS	11	2015	24	1991	35
ANJO CARAM	13	2013	22	1991	35
CHRIS NEWSOME	11	2015	25	1990	36
KYLE PASCUAL	12	2014	24	1990	36
CHRIS BANCHERO	12	2014	25	1989	37
RAYMOND ALMAZAN	13	2013	24	1989	37
CLIFF HODGE	14	2012	24	1988	38
ALLEIN MALIKSI	15	2011	24	1987	39

1 | SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN

BEST 6 | AHANMISI, PEREZ, TROLLANO, CRUZ, FAJARDO, LASSITER

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 1 - 10TH OVERALL

Ironically, Royce Mantua is the only player in the PBA who will end 2026 at age 24. Because if we're talking about old, San Miguel is as old as the establishment of its beer.

Anyway, I always think of San Miguel as the "whammy team" for rookies come draft time because, except for June Mar Fajardo, most of their players find success with other teams first before the Beermen try to trade for them.

This was especially evident at the start of the Governors' Cup, when they reached into their farm squad and exchanged 35-year-old Juami Tiongson and 32-year-old rookie Chris Miller for Terrafirma's young stars, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez.

JMF is already 37, but what's alarming is that most of their rotation pieces are between 33 and 41 years old. What's even more insane is that the younger players on the roster are also the ones riding the bench.

If a guy like Miller, at 32, was the sixth-youngest player on the team before moving to Terrafirma, that means the oldest team in the PBA doesn't just need to get younger. They need a young player they can actually use, someone who won't be intimidated by all the accolades and experience this team is oozing.

And that's why, for the first time in a long while, I can see San Miguel's late first-round pick becoming a big deal for them heading into the 2027 season.

Well, as long as he's not a "big man" literally, because we all know how Leo Austria gave Christian Standhardinger sporadic minutes and almost didn't use Arnold Van Opstal. His first option is, rightfully so, The Kraken.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
ROYCE MANTUA	1	2025	23	2002	24
PAOLO HERNANDEZ	2	2024	25	1999	27
JERRICK AHANMISI	5	2021	24	1997	29
JM CALMA	4	2022	25	1997	29
JERON TENG	9	2017	23	1994	32
CJAY PEREZ	8	2018	25	1993	33
DON TROLLANO	11	2015	23	1992	34
ANDREAS CAHILIG	9	2017	26	1991	35
JERICHO CRUZ	12	2014	24	1990	36
RODNEY BRONDIAL	12	2014	24	1990	36
KRIS ROSALES	11	2015	25	1990	36
JUNE MAR FAJARDO	14	2012	23	1989	37
MO TAUTUAA	11	2015	26	1989	37
MARCIO LASSITER	15	2011	24	1987	39
CHRIS ROSS	17	2009	24	1985	41