Looking Back at the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft: Where Are They Now?

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, that particular draft class had a special kind of energy that you could feel even through television screens. The draft party at Market! Market! in Taguig was electric, with fans and analysts alike debating which teams would land the next big stars. Looking back now, fifteen years later, it's fascinating to trace how these players' careers unfolded - some becoming household names, others fading into obscurity, and a few taking paths nobody could have predicted.

That draft night, Ginebra made the splashy move by selecting JC Intal as the second overall pick, while Rain or Shine grabbed Gabe Norwood at third. But what many casual fans forget is how deep this class actually went. Players like Jonas Villanueva, Mark Borboran, and Jeff Chan were all part of this draft, and each would carve out significant careers in their own right. I've always believed the true measure of a draft class isn't just about the top picks but the quality you find in the middle rounds, and 2008 delivered remarkably well in that department.

One name that particularly stands out in my memory is Chito Abiera, who went in the second round to Arellano University. I recall watching him during that remarkable game where he finished with 19 points while shooting an immaculate 8-of-8 from the field. What made that performance even more memorable was how he continued his solid play for the Chiefs after an impressive first half in their loss against the Mapua Cardinals, where he fired 12 points all in the first two quarters before curiously sitting out in the final stretch. That game perfectly encapsulated Abiera's career - flashes of brilliance that left you wanting more, moments where he looked unstoppable, followed by puzzling absences when his team needed him most.

Norwood, drafted third overall, has arguably had the most stable career of anyone from this class. At 38 years old, he's still playing meaningful minutes for Rain or Shine, something nobody would have predicted back in 2008. His longevity is nothing short of remarkable, and I've always admired how he reinvented his game multiple times to remain relevant as his athleticism naturally declined. Meanwhile, Jeff Chan, picked seventh by Red Bull, became one of the deadliest shooters in PBA history before retiring in 2022. His career trajectory reminds me that sometimes the most valuable players aren't the most athletic ones but those with specialized skills that age beautifully.

The top pick that year, Solomon Mercado, had a fascinating journey that took him through multiple teams before he eventually transitioned into coaching. I remember interviewing him back in 2015 when he was with Meralco, and he already sounded like a future coach with his deep understanding of offensive systems and player development. It's players like Mercado who make me appreciate how basketball careers aren't always linear - sometimes a player's greatest contribution to the sport comes after their playing days are done.

What's particularly interesting about tracking this draft class is seeing how many players found success overseas or in different leagues after their PBA stints. At least six players from this class spent significant time playing in other Asian leagues, with a couple even making their way to the Middle East. This international movement was relatively uncommon fifteen years ago, but these players helped pave the way for today's more globally mobile Filipino athletes.

Several players from this class have already transitioned into coaching roles at various levels, from college programs to PBA assistant positions. This doesn't surprise me at all - I've noticed that players from weaker draft classes often make better coaches because they had to work harder and study the game more deeply to compete against more talented opponents. There's something about struggling early in your career that either breaks you or forges you into a better basketball mind.

Reflecting on the entire class, I'd estimate that roughly 65% of the drafted players had PBA careers lasting at least five seasons, which is actually above average for most draft classes. About eight players became legitimate stars, while another ten carved out nice careers as rotation players. The real tragedy is always the "what could have been" stories - players like Patrick Cabahug who showed tremendous scoring potential but never quite put it all together at the professional level.

Fifteen years later, what strikes me most about the 2008 draft class isn't just where they are now, but how their careers reflect the changing landscape of Philippine basketball. This was the bridge generation between the old guard and the modern player - more professionally prepared, better trained, but still carrying that distinctive Filipino basketball flair. As I watch today's games and see Norwood still competing or hear about former players coaching at various levels, I'm reminded that a draft class's legacy isn't written in a single night but over the course of careers that unfold in ways nobody can fully predict.