2027 PBA MOCK DRAFT 1.0 | THE EXTREMELY EARLY VERSION

This is the first of hopefully many mock drafts on the road to the 2027 PBA Draft.

Or the Season 51 Draft, if you're going to be technical about it.

After two conferences, Blackwater, Terrafirma, and Titan Ultra are zeroing in on the top spot.

For NLEX, which took the pick from Blackwater, their biggest problems would be the coaching mind of Patrick Aquino and import Kentrell Barkley. For Ginebra, which gets dibs on the Terrafirma pick, they need to contend with Ronald Tubid, the genius minds on Terrafirma's bench, and the never-say-die gameplay of Justin Strings.

Meanwhile, Titan Ultra is looking to break into the Top 2, especially if Blackwater and Terrafirma continue to overachieve. I mean, the Giant Risers lost Calvin Abueva and the rights to Dave Ildefonso to Converge, Evan Nelle to Phoenix (he's now with NLEX), Chris Koon to Magnolia, and just let CJ Austria walk away to Blackwater.

That's how bad they want to be.

Anyway, the draft order and the players I listed will change as we finalize all the information. I chose between team needs and the best players available when I made the list. I also looked at their ages and résumés when putting together my mock draft.

For the college players, I don't know which of them will join the draft in 2027, but I believe that age, player development, and being a big name by the time they're 22 should serve as guidelines.

Because the time between the 2025 PBA Draft and the 2027 PBA Draft is more or less 15 months, I expect an influx of players, with teams possibly finding value picks even in the third or fourth round.

I mean, I can see the 2025-26 All-Rookie Team featuring fourth-rounder Bryan Sajonia and sixth-rounder JM Bravo, so it's not impossible for guys like Paeng Are, John Abate, Jaden Lazo, Drex Delos Reyes, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, and JC Recto to find themselves playing well in the PBA if they decide to apply.

And yeah, I listed these names because you won't see them in the list.

Like I said, if you want to state your case about how I botched this mock draft, then you need to sound off in the comments below.

Anyway...

GAME STARTS NOW!

UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART

ON BLUE | THE TEAM'S TWO MAIN PLAYERS

TEAM	PG	SG	SF	PF	F/C
NLE	BOLICK	WINSTON	ALAS	SEMERAD	BAHIO
GIN	ABARRIENTOS	THOMPSON	HOLT	ROSARIO	AGUILAR
TIT	YU	MUNZON	BALANZA	DIONISIO	FLORES
PHX	MAMUYAC	RIVERO	TUFFIN	PERKINS	BALLUNGAY
TER	TIONGSON	PARAISO	M AHANMISI	BRAVO	CHIU
MAG	BARROCA	LASTIMOSA	DELA ROSA	SANGALANG	LUCERO
ROS	LEMETTI	NOCUM	TIONGSON	CLARITO	SANTILLAN
MER	BRICKMAN	NEWSOME	QUINTO	CANSINO	HODGE
SMB	J AHANMISI	PEREZ	TROLLANO	TAUTUAA	FAJARDO
BLA	ILAGAN	PANOPIO	BAREFIELD	DAVID	TRATTER
CON	JUAN GDL	STOCKTON	ABUEVA	BALTAZAR	ARANA
TNT	HEADING	POGOY	NAMBATAC	OFTANA	GANUELAS-ROSSER

DRAFT ORDER AFTER TWO CONFERENCES:

40% PHILIPPINE CUP | 30% COMMISSIONER'S CUP

RANK	TEAM	PHLCUP	COMCUP
1	BLACKWATER BOSSING	11	12
2	TERRAFIRMA DYIP	12	10
3	TITAN ULTRA GIANT RISERS	9	11
4	PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS	10	8
5	CONVERGE FIBERXERS	6	9
6	NLEX ROAD WARRIORS	8	5
7	MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS	7	6
8	RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS	5	3
9	MERALCO BOLTS	4	4
10	SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN	1	7
11	BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL	3	1
12	TNT TROPANG 5G	2	2

FIRST ROUND

STATS AS OF AUGUST 10, 2026

1 | NLEX ROAD WARRIORS | KYMANI LADI

(PICK FROM BLACKWATER)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2000

UAAP 2025 | ATENEO BLUE EAGLES | 14.3PPG - 7.1RPG - 1.4APG

MPBL 2026 | CALOOCAN BATANG KANKALOO | 12.0PPG - 5.9RPG - 2.4APG

Kymani Ladi is from Ateneo, which is part of MVP's basketball realm. NLEX also needs to improve its lineup if it wants to take the next step toward becoming a championship contender. Finally, when it comes to picking the best option available and addressing the team's needs, not to mention the talents who have bolted for Japan and Korea. Judging from these factors, Kymani Ladi is definitely the player the NLEX Road Warriors, or whoever ends up with the top pick, should be taking.

2 | BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL | DJ FENNER

(PICK FROM TERRAFIRMA)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 1993

U.S. NCAA 2016-17 | NEVADA WOLF PACK | 13.7PPG - 3.3RPG - 1.4APG

MPBL 2026 | ABRA WEAVERS | 13.9PPG - 4.7RPG - 2.9APG

DJ Fenner came from the U.S. NCAA, just like Stephen Holt, and he's currently playing well as part of an ensemble powerhouse in the MPBL. He also plays like a crafty veteran who can easily adjust to a system, which is important considering how complicated Tim Cone's system is. Finally, with Ginebra basically getting the bulk of the Gilas recruits, they need a player who can stay fresh and help carry the load while their other players recuperate from the wear and tear. The only drawback I see with Fenner is that he will turn 33 years old in his rookie year. However, the counterpoint to this is that Ginebra also has another first-round pick and a second-round pick.

3 | TITAN ULTRA GIANT RISERS | ALLEN LIWAG

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2001

NCAA 2025 | BENILDE BLAZERS | 12.7PPG - 9.7RPG - 1.0BPG

Titan Ultra is in grave need of improving its size. To address that, the team needs a bona fide double-double magnet in the middle with good offensive awareness. Liwag is a two-time NCAA MVP and has seen action in several international tiffs. Yes, Cedrick Manzano can also be a good player to get at No. 3, but this is where the difference between UAAP and NCAA big men comes into play. Because there are no foreign giants in the NCAA, Liwag's offensive skills are more refined in the paint. Also, his selection can relieve some of the burden on Cade Flores as he works his way back from an injury.

4 | PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS | CEDRICK MANZANO

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2003

UAAP 2025 | ADAMSON SOARING FALCONS | 11.7PPG - 7.1RPG - 0.9BPG

MPBL 2026 | QUEZON HUSKERS | 12.0PPG - 8.3RPG - 1.9APG

Ced Manzano is Adamson's go-to guy, and no, we haven't forgotten how awesome he was during the 2025 SEA Games. I know it's time for Charles Tiu to get Will Gozum out of his doghouse, but at the same time, the former Benilde Blazer has never been the same since his injury. Manzano's entry can move Ballungay to his more comfortable power forward spot, allowing Jason Perkins to play small forward. At the same time, he can also be a good presence in the middle if Tiu decides to put Gian Mamuyac and Tyler Tio on the floor at the same time. Also, while Phoenix may not need to look for size this early in the draft, the center position isn't this draft's strongest suit, so they should get the best frontcourt player available.

5 | TERRAFIRMA DYIP | NIC CABANERO

(PICK FROM CONVERGE)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2003

UAAP 2025 | UST GROWLING TIGERS | 17.3PPG - 5.8RPG - 2.6APG

MPBL 2026 | BINAN TATAK GEL BEAST | 17.5PPG - 7.8RPG - 2.8APG

I think Nic Cabanero can go as high as No. 3 in the draft. That said, if Titan Ultra and Phoenix try to address their size needs, then it’s a must for them to snag the former UST Growling Tiger. As much as I can't stand how shallow Terrafirma's frontcourt is, the next best thing for them is to find a player who can go nuts on offense. Cabanero was able to carry his UAAP numbers over to the MPBL, which is especially encouraging since Terrafirma's two main scorers are both 35 years old.

6 | NLEX ROAD WARRIORS | JAKE FIGEROA

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

UAAP 2025 | NU BULLDOGS | 14.8PPG - 7.3RPG - 4.0APG

KBL 2025-26 | ULSAN HYUNDAI MOBIS PHOEBUS | 3.5PPG - 1.9RPG - 0.7APG

MPBL 2026 | ABRA WEAVERS | 10.7PPG - 6.2RPG - 3.5APG

NLEX has two first-round picks, and I think that after getting a big man, they could use the other pick to get a guy with international experience. And while Ladi and Dom Escobar could team up again in NLEX, I think they need to use their mid-round pick to select the best remaining option. With the acquisition of Evan Nelle, NLEX has a solid backcourt. And with Figueroa being a combo forward, he can also take minutes away from Anthony Semerad. Jimmy Alapag has been trying to get the best out of Enoch Valdez for some time now, but if they see an opportunity to upgrade, then Figueroa is one good catch to look at.

7 | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS | JACOB CORTEZ

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

UAAP 2025 | DLSU GREEN ARCHERS | 15.3PPG - 3.7RPG - 2.7APG

Needless to say, LA Tenorio needs a new point guard. Jerom Lastimosa is more of a shooting guard, and while Mark Barroca is still capable, he is also 40 years old. Again, Paul Lee has shown signs of slowing down, and their next man up is Peter Alfaro. Also, Cortez is a second-generation baller who played at LA's high school alma mater and is about to finish his collegiate career with a school within the SMC universe. Alfaro, Yukien Andrada, and Cliff Jopia were also his teammates when he won Finals MVP while helping San Beda win a championship.

8 | RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS | JD CAGULANGAN

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2000

UAAP 2024 | UP FIGHTING MAROONS | 11.8PPG - 4.3RPG - 4.9APG

KBL 2025-26 | SUWON KT SONICBOOM | 7.7PPG - 2.1RPG - 3.1APG

MPBL 2026 | ABRA WEAVERS

Rain or Shine is one of those squads that treats its second-rounders like first-round picks. They also couldn't care less if they have to wait for a player to recover from his injuries. I guess by this time, Cagulangan would have already seen action in the MPBL, and, much like most of Yeng Guiao's players, he would have to grind to stay on his good side. And even if he hasn't, the fact that he is a college champion with international experience will surely spark interest. If he's the real deal, though, he's going to find an avenue to show off, thanks to the spot vacated by Gian Mamuyac.

9 | MERALCO BOLTS | BRANDON WILSON

YEAR OF BIRTH | 1999

COLLEGE | OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY STARS

MPBL 2026 | ZAMBOANGA SIKAT | 13.2PPG - 6.9RPG - 1.6APG

Here is one player we barely talk about. Brandon Wilson is a 6'6" Fil-Am who is doing his thing for the MPBL's Zamboanga Sikat. The good thing about him is that he's only 26, which is basically young, especially when you look at Meralco's aging roster. He can also play multiple positions, which is a good thing for Meralco now, since most of their players aren't as multi-dimensional as they once were. Also, other than his MPBL campaign, little is known about his gameplay. This means Brandon Wilson might just be the steal of the draft.

10 | SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN | RAVEN GONZALES

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

UAAP 2024 | DLSU GREEN ARCHERS | 5.1PPG - 3.6RPG - 0.6BPG

MPBL 2026 | ABRA WEAVERS | 7.4PPG - 6.6RPG - 0.8APG

The former DLSU Green Archer is 6'7". And while he has lost a bit of his luster playing for the souped-up Abra Weavers, you can't deny that he'll fill the needs of the Beermen. First up, June Mar Fajardo has missed a couple of games due to the wear and tear from playing for Gilas. Moreover, Mo Tautuaa and Rodney Brondial have an average age of 36.5. I know his offense needs work, but if he's primarily there to scratch and claw for boards, then he's a great choice to take at No. 10.

11 | BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL |

MASON AMOS

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2004

UAAP 2025 | DLSU GREEN ARCHERS | 5.6PPG - 2.4RPG - 2.1BPG

As mentioned in my past blogs, Ginebra is in need of souping up its bench. And while Amos is a blue-chip prospect, his UAAP numbers haven't been mind-blowing, which makes me iffy about whether he's top-five material. But playing for an ensemble program has its perks, with DLSU putting a premium on teamplay rather than individual accolades. And it's not like he's new to Tim Cone's system, having played in it during his time with Gilas Pilipinas. The Green Archer is also practically a kid by PBA age standards, which makes him a good player to develop for the future. Maybe he can iron out all the kinks in his game while playing for the crowd favorites.

12 | BLACKWATER BOSSING | DOM ESCOBAR

(PICK FROM TNT)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

UAAP 2025 | ATENEO BLUE EAGLES | 11.1PPG - 6.9RPG - 1.9SPG

MPBL 2026 | CALOOCAN BATANG KANKALOO | 6.8PPG - 4.4RPG - 1.6APG

I know Blackwater needs a star in the middle, but while I doubt they'll find a superstar at the No. 12 spot, stranger things have happened in the PBA. With this in mind, Escobar can be a 6'5" combo forward who can perhaps serve as either a complement or replacement for Christian David. I know we want to see Escobar playing alongside Kymani Ladi in the pros, but maybe escaping from his shadow could bring out the best in his game.

SECOND ROUND

STATS AS OF AUGUST 10, 2026

13 | NLEX ROAD WARRIORS | JOMEL PUNO

(PICK FROM BLACKWATER)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

NCAA 2025 | SAN BEDA RED LIONS | 6.9PPG - 6.6RPG - 1.8APG

Here's our first whammy spot in the draft, because with two picks in the first round, I doubt they'll care much about their second-rounder, even if he's No. 13 in the draft. That said, if NLEX addresses its size in the first round, then it needs to get the best player available to either dangle as a trade chip or fill the gaps. Jomel Puno had to fight through an injury to make himself look good in NCAA S101, and S102 might be make-or-break for his impending pro career. This guy is a big, high-flying combo forward with huge upside, and I can see him rising through the ranks if he can lead the Red Lions to a successful title defense.

14 | TERRAFIRMA DYIP | KEAN BACLAAN

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2003

UAAP 2025 | DLSU GREEN ARCHERS | 7.8PPG - 2.4RPG - 3.0APG

MPBL 2026 | CALOOCAN BATANG KANKALOO | 9.0PPG - 3.2RPG - 5.8APG

Kean Baclaan is an above-average, pass-first guard who is both a winner and a go-getter. I know I have been saying that Terrafirma needs to add size, but they also need a player off the bench who can ease the vets' ball-handling and playmaking duties, especially if Mark Nonoy is completely out of the team. More importantly, Baclaan isn't afraid to make decisions when the game is on the line, which is one of the things missing from Terrafirma, especially if they want to take their win-loss record to another level.

15 | CONVERGE FIBERXERS | KEVIN SANTOS

(PICK FROM TITAN ULTRA)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2003

NCAA 2025 | LETRAN KNIGHTS | 11.1PPG - 7.4RPG - 1.5BPG

I think Kevin Santos going this deep in the draft is a bit of a stretch, especially if he does well in NCAA 102. It's also insane that Santos has been with Letran since 2022 and will only turn 24 in 2027. I mean, I saw this guy getting pointers from both Fran Yu and Brent Paraiso during their S98 championship run. I often look at him as the current version of Omanzie Rodriguez at his best. Like The Eraser, Santos is a defensive demon. But unlike the former Mapua player, Santos also has a jetpack in his shoes, and we might see a couple of slamma jammas from him in the pro circuit. And while I want him to join his former Letran teammates at Titan Ultra, Santos also hails from Pampanga. So if Delta Pineda can't find one of his former players in the draft, then he might look for a player from his province.

16 | CONVERGE FIBERXERS | REY REMOGAT

(PICK FROM PHOENIX)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2004

UAAP 2025 | UP FIGHTING MAROONS | 10.8PPG - 3.8RPG - 4.1APG

It makes sense for the FiberXers to select a player who can ease the burden on their vets' ball-handling duties while also helping Mikey Williams concentrate on becoming more of a catch-and-shoot guy. Enter Rey Remogat. If he joins the draft, the former UP Fighting Maroon will be one of the youngest guys, if not the youngest guy, to signify his intent. While he missed out on the 2024 championship, Remogat played well when he helped UP reach the Finals for the fifth straight year. Another great thing about Rey Remogat is that he's a proven go-getter, having moved to UP after making a name for himself with the UE Red Warriors. I know playing behind Juan GDL would be a problem for him in the long run, but if one of his backcourt teammates gets injured, then you know who's going to step up.

17 | TITAN ULTRA GIANT RISERS | FORTHSKY PADRIGAO

(PICK FROM CONVERGE)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

UAAP 2025 | UST GROWLING TIGERS | 9.3PPG - 5.1APG - 1.9SPG

MPBL 2026 | ZAMBOANGA SIKAT | 9.4PPG - 3.6RPG - 7.1APG

One problem I have with Titan Ultra at the start of the 50th season is the trade that sent Evan Nelle to Phoenix. I mean, I like the NCAA players from S96 to S101, but we hardly see Jeo Ambohot play in games. Anyway, last year's Fran Yu-Evan Nelle point guard combo was good, and now the only other "real" point guards on the team are Aljun Melecio and Axel Inigo. This is why I can see Forthsky Padrigao becoming important for the Giant Risers. Yes, the former UAAP Mythical Five member knows a thing or two about long-distance bombs, but he's also a good playmaker. At points this season, we've seen the Giant Risers play without direction, especially when Mr. Fran-Tastic sits down. At least with a PG like Padrigao, there will be a semblance of order when Yu takes a breather.

18 | PHOENIX FUEL MASTERS | CLINT ESCAMIS

(PICK FROM NLEX)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2000

NCAA 2025 | MAPUA CARDINALS | 9.6PPG - 3.0RPG - 3.8APG

MPBL 2026 | QUEZON HUSKERS | NO STATS AVAILABLE

If this were the 2025 PBA Draft, Clint Escamis would have been a potential first-round pick. He has a résumé any player would be proud of. He is a one-time MVP, a one-time Finals MVP, a two-time Mythical First Teamer, and had the distinction of leading the Mapua Cardinals to championships in both the seniors and juniors divisions. Hell, there was even talk of an international career for him because he was that good.

But then he returned to the Cardinals for Season 101, and not only did his numbers decline, but Mapua also struggled all season because most of their key players either graduated or transferred to JRU. But if there's anyone who knows what he's capable of, it's Charles Tiu. Escamis can create, can make his teammates look good, and can be clutch when the game matters.

The only problem with Escamis, though, is that he has had a quiet 2026, and he will turn 27 next year.

19 | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS | HAROLD ALARCON

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

UAAP 2025 | UP FIGHTING MAROONS | 12.4PPG - 3.6RPG - 2.8APG

MPBL 2026 | SAN JUAN KNIGHTS | 7.2PPG - 4.8RPG - 4.3APG

Harold Alarcon is like a Swiss Army knife. If you want him to score, he can knock down jumpers and drive towards the basket. In fact, he once scored 33 points in Season 87, which was also the season his UP Fighting Maroons won a championship. If you want him to lock down an opposing player, Alarcon can also play good defense. More than that, Alarcon is also a leader. If you're a new coach like LA Tenorio looking for pieces to slowly move away from the previous coach's players, then what better way to start fresh than by having one of the Maroon 5 players on the bench?

20 | RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS | JIMBOY ESTRADA

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2002

NCAA 2025 | LETRAN KNIGHTS | 14.1PPG - 4.2RPG - 3.6APG

He played for Letran after their championship run, but just because he missed out on their dominant seasons doesn't make Jimboy Estrada a draft by-the-way. In fact, he nearly canceled out Bryan Sajonia's offensive contributions when they faced off in the NCAA Season 101 Finals. I know there was talk of trading Sajonia for Gian Mamuyac, so maybe if they can't get the current Titan Ultra rookie, they could just acquire his Letran counterpart. If Yeng Guiao wants to know what Estrada can bring aside from clutch baskets, then maybe he can ask his former teammates and current ROS rookies, Deo Cuajao and Jun Roque.

21 | MERALCO BOLTS | KASCIUS SMALL-MARTIN

YEAR OF BIRTH | 1998

COLLEGE | BROCK UNIVERSITY

MPBL 2026 | ABRA WEAVERS | 10.0PPG - 1.7RPG - 4.1APG

Kascius Small-Martin has been rumored to join the draft for some time now, and I really can't see him skipping the draft even if the Abra Weavers are going to play in the EASL, especially since he'll be turning 29 next February. At 6'1", he'll likely step into the role of a second-unit scorer, and while that's a tough situation given that Meralco is littered with guards, Chris Newsome and the others are 35 and up. Small-Martin might be a good addition to take some of Allein Maliksi's minutes, especially with Maliksi turning 40 next year.

22 | TITAN ULTRA GIANT RISERS | GANI STEVENS

(PICK FROM SAN MIGUEL)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2004

UAAP 2025 | UP FIGHTING MAROONS | 7.3PPG - 6.3RPG - 0.7APG

I don't know if taking him at No. 22 is a stretch considering that he might play well enough to move up the draft order, but Titan Ultra is in need of padding its frontcourt, and maybe Gani Stevens is one player who can help beef it up. The former UP Fighting Maroon was able to raise his numbers following the departures of Quentin Millora-Brown, Francis Lopez, and JD Cagulangan, but UAAP Season 89 could take this even further. One good thing about Stevens is that he knows his role as an inside anchor. And again, he's 6'7" with upside and championship experience, which is a darn good reason for a team like the Giant Risers, who want to shed their whipping boys tag, to take a chance on him.

23 | BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL | PATRICK SLEAT

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2001

NCAA 2025 | PERPETUAL ALTAS | 11.2PPG - 4.4RPG - 4.0APG

MPBL 2026 | SAN JUAN KNIGHTS | 9.5PPG - 3.6RPG - 2.6APG

When Perpetual attempted a title run in NCAA S101, they had three top guys. One of them was Mark Gojo Cruz, who will turn 22 next year. Another was Cedrick Abis, who currently plays for Ginebra. The third was Patrick Sleat, and man, I wish Ginebra's love for former Altas players continues in this draft because he can be helpful to their cause (see Scottie Thompson, Kim Aurin's 3X3 stint, and at one point, trading for Ben Adamos). Aside from the fact that Olsen Racela, his Perpetual coach, is part of Tim Cone's coaching staff, the dude is a burly small forward with the ability to score, rebound, and facilitate. And also, Sleat is an energy guy, making him a good player to have when you need the crowd to just go batshit insane on their foes.

24 | RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS | JUSTINE SANCHEZ

(PICK FROM TNT)

YEAR OF BIRTH | 2001

NCAA 2025 | BENILDE BLAZERS | 12.0PPG - 5.7RPG - 1.8APG

Finally, we end things off with Rain or Shine. A couple of seasons ago, the Elasto Painters got a goldmine at No. 24 in Adrian Nocum, and it might not be that different if they're able to land the former San Beda and Benilde slotman. One good thing about Justine Sanchez is that he plays steadily. He's not flashy, will do the intangibles, and can be versatile enough on both offense and defense. There was a stretch in S101 when he scored in double figures in seven consecutive games, and those were the games when Allen Liwag and Tony Ynot were injured. When both players returned, Sanchez concentrated on defense. As I said, he can pose as an offensive threat and then go back to being a defensive presence with ease. The only problem I see in his game is whether he'll be too small to be a frontcourt force, but if there's one coach who can bring out the best in his players, Yeng Guiao might be that coach.