2027 PBA DRAFT | WHAT THE YOUNGEST TEAMS NEED

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

Let that sink in.

In the NBA, a player's fate as a draft pick is often decided by the time he turns 25. In the Philippines, that's around the age when many players are just beginning their PBA careers.

And that's just nuts.

Anyway, I combined an average-age ranking with an analysis of what each team needs heading into the 2027 PBA Draft. To do this, I removed the two oldest players from every roster before computing the average age of the remaining players. I also used birth years instead of full birth dates so the list won't become outdated too quickly.

Also, for the "Years Pro" portion of the chart, I simply counted the year each player entered the PBA Draft. I know Justine Baltazar technically turned pro when he debuted for the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League, but he still had to enter the PBA Draft before he could join the league.

Rafi Reavis is the exception to the rule, though. Even though he was the second overall pick in the 2002 PBA Draft, he actually made his professional debut with the MBA's San Juan Knights in 2000.

Back in 1999, PBA teams were allowed to sign one Fil-Am player directly, regardless of whether he had previously played in the MBA. That's how Red Bull signed Mick Pennisi, and Shell signed Tony Dela Cruz in 2000.

The league eventually amended the rule beginning with the 2001 season, with Willie Miller becoming the first former MBA player to enter the draft and be selected first overall by Red Bull.

I am that old.

Sheesh.

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

But the more important part of this blog, along with its companion piece ranking the teams with the oldest rosters, is identifying the needs each franchise will likely try to address in the 2027 PBA Draft.

Game starts now!

6 | TITAN ULTRA GIANT RISERS

BEST 6 | SAJONIA, YU, FLORES, BALANZA, MUNZON, DIONISIO

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 3 - 3RD OVERALL, 17TH OVERALL (FROM CONVERGE), 22ND OVERALL (FROM SAN MIGUEL)

We are starting this off with the Titan Ultra Giant Risers. If you look at the four oldest players on their roster, you'll find two seldom-used rookies in Axel Inigo and Denzel Wong, a returning player in Roi Sumang, and a player whose minutes have dropped despite averaging double figures in the Philippine Cup in Von Pessumal.

This team also has a tendency to trade its best players to other teams. While we're used to seeing them deal their top stars to the SMC teams, they have also been raided by the Converge FiberXers this season.

That said, maybe they have something cooking as 2027 rolls around. Yes, they are trading away their assets, but that also means they are lowering their payroll, especially with the various reports surrounding the future of Joshua Munzon.

And while they are currently poised to pick third overall, there is still a chance they could move up, given the performances of Blackwater, which has since dealt its pick to NLEX, and Terrafirma, which has since traded its pick to Ginebra. Given the recent developments (or departures) involving the supposed top names of the draft, who's to say they won't tank again to land an even better player in the 2028 PBA Draft?

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
BRYAN SAJONIA	1	2025	25	2000	26
PAO JAVILLONAR	2	2024	24	2000	26
MARIO BARASI	1	2025	25	2000	26
MARK OMEGA	1	2025	25	2000	26
JOHN AMORES	3	2023	24	1999	27
FRAN YU	3	2023	25	1998	28
CADE FLORES	3	2023	25	1998	28
ALJUN MELECIO	5	2021	23	1998	28
DAMIE CUNTAPAY	3	2023	25	1998	28
KING CARALIPIO	3	2023	26	1997	29
JERRICK BALANZA	7	2019	23	1996	30
JEO AMBOHOT	4	2022	26	1996	30
JOSHUA MUNZON	5	2021	26	1995	31
ARIS DIONISIO	7	2019	24	1995	31
ATO ULAR	4	2022	27	1995	31
AXEL INIGO	1	2025	31	1994	32
VON PESSUMAL	10	2016	23	1993	33
DENZEL WONG	2	2024	31	1993	33
ROI SUMANG	11	2015	25	1990	36

5 | TERRAFIRMA DYIP

BEST 6 | CHIU, NONOY, BRAVO, SANGALANG, M AHANMISI, TIONGSON

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 2 - 5TH OVERALL (FROM CONVERGE), 14TH OVERALL

Juami Tiongson and Maverick Ahanmisi are running the show in Terrafirma. That said, two players I listed in their Best 6 have been MIA over the last two conferences.

This means we can expect Terrafirma to hunt for the best talent available up until the fourth round of the 2027 PBA Draft, at least if they can't flip these picks for additional assets. They also own the projected fifth pick in the draft, thanks to the Jordan Heading trade, which is scary for their fans because it could eventually become another "farm team" acquisition for a random SMC squad.

Given their history of letting key assets leave without getting anything in return (see Christian Standhardinger, Vic Manuel, Stanley Pringle, and Terrence Romeo), if they can't find replacements for Mark Nonoy and Louie Sangalang, they at least need to strengthen their bench.

As much as Didat Hanapi is doing his best, Keith Zaldivar has shown flashes, Ben Adamos has simply been... there, and Chris Miller is far from the player many thought he would be, they need to bolster their second unit and make the most of that fifth overall pick. Maybe it's a flashy combo guard or a frontcourt partner for Geo Chiu. And if they can uncover a gem in the sixth round like JM Bravo, there's every reason to believe they can find quality talent with their first- and second-round picks as well.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
GEO CHIU	1	2025	24	2001	25
DIDAT HANAPI	2	2024	23	2001	25
MARK NONOY	2	2024	24	2000	26
JM BRAVO	1	2025	25	2000	26
SHAWN UMALI	1	2025	25	2000	26
PAUL GARCIA	2	2024	25	1999	27
LOUIE SANGALANG	3	2023	25	1998	28
BRENT PARAISO	3	2023	25	1998	28
CJ CATAPUSAN	2	2024	27	1997	29
KEITH ZALDIVAR	4	2022	26	1996	30
BEN ADAMOS	5	2021	26	1995	31
CHRIS MILLER	1	2025	32	1993	33
ALJON MARIANO	11	2015	23	1992	34
JOSEPH ERIOBU	10	2016	24	1992	34
MAVERICK AHANMISI	11	2015	24	1991	35
JUAMI TIONGSON	12	2014	23	1991	35

4 | BLACKWATER BOSSING

BEST 6 | AUSTRIA, PANOPIO, DAVID, ILAGAN, BAREFIELD, TRATTER

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 1 - 12TH OVERALL (FROM TNT)

I doubt Blackwater will find a generational talent with TNT's late first-round pick.

And while they could replicate the odds of landing a good player, similar to what they did with James Una in the fourth round of the 2025 PBA Draft, I doubt they'll find a true game-changer with what will likely be the 25th pick of the 2027 PBA Draft.

But if there's one thing working in Blackwater's favor, it's Patrick Aquino. He has been with the organization for a long time now, and after his successful stint with the Gilas Women, a program sponsored by Ever Bilena (one of Blackwater's sister companies), I can see Aquino calling the shots for the Bossings for years to come.

Blackwater has also been competitive with the talent it has at the moment, thanks to the combo-guard triumvirate of Sedrick Barefield, RK Ilagan, and Dalph Panopio, the career resurgence of Abu Tratter, and the impressive rookie campaigns of James Una and CJ Austria.

That said, what they need right now is someone to anchor their frontcourt. If they can find a quality big man with the 12th pick and pair him with the long-awaited debut of former MPBL standout Ximone Sandagon, it could lead to better things for the squad.

And, of course, they also need to stop sending their draft picks to MVP teams.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
CJ AUSTRIA	1	2025	24	2001	25
JAMES UNA	1	2025	24	2001	25
DALPH PANOPIO	1	2025	25	2000	26
JACK CRUZ-DUMONT	1	2025	25	2000	26
TROY MALLILLIN	3	2023	24	1999	27
XIMONE SANDAGON	1	2025	26	1999	27
CHRISTIAN DAVID	3	2023	25	1998	28
RK ILAGAN	5	2021	24	1997	29
RICHARD ESCOTO	7	2019	22	1997	29
SEDRICK BAREFIELD	2	2024	28	1996	30
DAVID MURRELL	5	2021	25	1996	30
KIB MONTALBO	7	2019	23	1996	30
JED MENDOZA	5	2021	25	1996	30
ABU TRATTER	8	2018	25	1993	33
MIKE DIGREGORIO	11	2015	24	1991	35
NICK DEMUSIS	5	2021	30	1991	35
JAMES SENA	17	2009	21	1988	38

3 | CONVERGE FIBERXERS

BEST 6 | JUAN GDL, ARANA, STOCKTON, BALTAZAR, WILLIAMS, ABUEVA

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 2 - 15TH OVERALL (FROM TITAN ULTRA), 16TH OVERALL (FROM PHOENIX)

The Converge FiberXers look like the team best positioned to break the glass ceiling imposed by the SMC and MVP squads. But more than that, if you've ever wondered what a PBA team built around an MPBL core would look like, this roster, composed largely of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns' nucleus, is the perfect example.

What's even crazier is that if you take out Mikey Williams, Calvin Abueva, and Jaymo Eguilos, the Converge FiberXers become one of the youngest teams in the PBA.

At the same time, however, there seems to be a problem with the squad. There are simply too many stars, along with role players trying to make names for themselves, and it's hurting the team's chemistry. Yes, Magnolia sucks at the moment, but during their winning stretches, they have players like Rome Dela Rosa and Peter Alfaro who do the little things to make their teammates look good. Meanwhile, Larry Muyang went from forcing his way out of Phoenix to rediscovering his love for the game in the MPBL. He then moved to Converge, where his situation is arguably even worse than what he had with the Fuel Masters.

And it feels like this issue isn't limited to the players. It extends to the coaching staff as well.

Because of that, I think Converge is better off entering the draft without a pick and instead looking for above-average role players to complement the roster. They already have Dave Ildefonso arriving next season, so perhaps they should prioritize a pass-first point guard and a no-nonsense, defense-oriented big man to strengthen their second unit.

What's keeping Converge from reaching the next level isn't talent. It's chemistry. And the last thing they need next season is another ball-dominant iso-lord who thinks he's the second coming of Kobe Bryant.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
JONNEL POLICARPIO	2	2024	23	2001	25
JUAN GÓMEZ DE LIAÑO	1	2025	26	1999	27
JUSTIN ARANA	4	2022	23	1999	27
LADIS LEPALAM	1	2025	26	1999	27
ALEC STOCKTON	5	2021	23	1998	28
MJ GARCIA	3	2023	25	1998	28
KURT REYSON	2	2024	26	1998	28
JOHN LLOYD CLEMENTE	3	2023	25	1998	28
JUSTINE BALTAZAR	2	2024	27	1997	29
JAYDEE TUNGCAB	5	2021	24	1997	29
RONAN SANTOS	2	2024	27	1997	29
ARCHIE CONCEPCION	3	2023	27	1996	30
LARRY MUYANG	5	2021	26	1995	31
MIKEY WILLIAMS	5	2021	30	1991	35
CALVIN ABUEVA	14	2012	24	1988	38
JAYMO EGUILOS	13	2013	27	1986	40

2 | RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS

BEST 6 | NOCUM, LEMETTI, VILLEGAS, CLARITO, SANTILLAN, TIONGSON

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 2 - 8TH OVERALL, 20TH OVERALL, 24TH OVERALL (FROM TNT VIA BLACKWATER)

Rain or Shine is like an overachieving, defiant college team trying to beat the odds and break the championship monopoly of the SMC and MVP squads.

That's exactly why we adore the Elasto Painters.

With the retirement of Gabe Norwood and the possible retirements of Beau Belga and Stanley Pringle, we could see their future draft picks enjoy the same kind of success as their current young guns.

And with Gian Mamuyac's departure, coupled with the team's injury woes, Yeng Guiao's merry band of upstarts could use reinforcements and perhaps uncover a few diamonds in the rough through the 2027 PBA Draft.

Rain or Shine may be undermanned in the Governors' Cup, but that hasn't stopped the team from making a statement. That's why any player drafted by the Elasto Painters will be hella lucky.

The team could use a big man or at least a combo forward in the mold of Santi Santillan. Or perhaps they could upgrade the shooting guard/small forward position, allowing Adrian Nocum to spend more time as a combo guard while the team copes with the injuries to Felix Lemetti and Jun Roque.

That said, draft applicants should be wary of the Elasto Painters after the second round because, in franchise history, the only player they selected beyond that point who actually appeared in a PBA game was Sherwin Concepcion, who played just four games during the 2023-24 season.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
DEO CUAJAO	1	2025	24	2001	25
JUN ROQUE	1	2025	24	2001	25
JOSHUA DAVID	1	2025	25	2000	26
ADRIAN NOCUM	3	2023	24	1999	27
FELIX LEMETTI	2	2024	25	1999	27
MIKE MALONZO	2	2024	25	1999	27
CHRISTIAN MANAYTAY	1	2025	26	1999	27
LUIS VILLEGAS	3	2023	26	1997	29
JHONARD CLARITO	4	2022	26	1996	30
KEITH DATU	3	2023	27	1996	30
SANTI SANTILLAN	5	2021	25	1996	30
ANDREI CARACUT	5	2021	25	1996	30
ANTON ASISTIO	5	2021	26	1995	31
CAELAN TIONGSON	2	2024	32	1992	34
STANLEY PRINGLE	12	2014	27	1987	39
BEAU BELGA	18	2008	22	1986	40

1 | PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS

BEST 6 | BALLUNGAY, MAMUYAC, RIVERO, TIO, TUFFIN, PERKINS

POSSIBLE 2027 PBA DRAFT PICKS | 2 - 4TH OVERALL, 18TH OVERALL (FROM NLEX)

Yes, Rafi Reavis is on the verge of turning 50, and Phoenix just acquired Justin Chua. Meanwhile, Sidney Onwubere, the player they chose over Evan Nelle, is taking a break from basketball. If you take those three players out of the equation next season, Phoenix's young core could get even younger.

They own the fourth pick in the 2027 PBA Draft, and they'll probably use it to add size to their frontcourt. I doubt they'll find someone to replace Fuel Master lifer Jason Perkins because, even at almost 34 years old, he's still a veteran who can take over games when he wants to.

That said, Phoenix still needs another quality big man. Don't get me wrong. They already have Jason Perkins, Kai Ballungay, Ken Tuffin, and Bryan Santos, but except for Kai, most of them are stretch bigs.

And while I wouldn't be surprised if Charles Tiu has his eyes on his former player, two-time NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, his former Benilde players in Phoenix haven't exactly been "blazing" under him in the PBA. Former NCAA MVP Will Gozum and JC Cullar have mostly been limited to garbage-time minutes, while Tony Ynot has yet to see action for the squad in the Govs Cup, as of writing.

PLAYERS	YRS PRO	DRAFT YEAR	THEN AGE	YEAR OF BIRTH	AGE IN 2026
KAI BALLUNGAY	2	2024	23	2001	25
TONY YNOT	1	2025	25	2000	26
GIAN MAMUYAC	4	2022	23	1999	27
FRANCIS ESCANDOR	2	2024	25	1999	27
WILL GOZUM	1	2025	26	1999	27
JL DELOS SANTOS	3	2023	24	1999	27
DAVE ANDO	1	2025	26	1999	27
RICCI RIVERO	3	2023	25	1998	28
TYLER TIO	4	2022	24	1998	28
KEN TUFFIN	3	2023	26	1997	29
BRYAN SANTOS	3	2023	26	1997	29
JC CULLAR	3	2023	26	1997	29
SIDNEY ONWUBERE	9	2017	24	1993	33
JASON PERKINS	9	2017	25	1992	34
JUSTIN CHUA	13	2013	24	1989	37
RAFI REAVIS	24	2002	25	1977	49