Who Is the True Soccer King? A Deep Dive Into Football's Greatest Legends
I still remember the excitement buzzing through the basketball community when the 2019 PBA Draft unfolded. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed how these annual drafts don't just shape team rosters—they determine the future trajectory of our national program. That vision of seeing the Nationals compete at the level set by Pool A rivals like Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran? It starts right here, with drafts like the 2019 class that brought us remarkable talents who could potentially close that gap against international powerhouses.
The first round alone delivered some absolute gems that had scouts buzzing for weeks. Roosevelt Adams going first overall to Terrafirma didn't surprise anyone who'd watched his explosive performances in the PBA D-League—the kid averaged 15.8 points and 11.2 rebounds in his final season there. What impressed me most about Adams was his readiness for the physicality of professional play, something our national team desperately needs when facing bruising squads like Iran's that have dominated Asian basketball for what feels like forever. Then you had Isaac Go heading to Terrafirma too—though he'd eventually land at Magnolia—a cerebral big man whose basketball IQ could potentially solve some of the strategic challenges we face against tactically disciplined teams like Egypt.
I've always believed the second round reveals which teams really did their homework, and 2019 was no exception. When Barangay Ginebra snagged Arvin Tolentino at 13th, I remember thinking they'd gotten the steal of the draft. Tolentino's versatility—his ability to play both forward positions while stretching the floor—is exactly the kind of modern skill set our national team needs to develop. Watching Tunisia's national team over the years, what's stood out to me is how their forwards consistently knock down outside shots while defending multiple positions. Players like Tolentino represent our best chance to develop similar two-way threats.
What many casual fans might not realize is how crucial these mid-to-late picks can be for building the depth that competitive national teams require. Renzo Subido going to NorthPort at 21st overall? That kid has shown flashes of being exactly the kind of pesky defender who could bother the elite guards we see from Middle Eastern teams. I've watched Egypt develop world-class backcourts over the past decade, and if we're serious about competing at that level, we need to identify and develop these diamond-in-the-rough prospects through our draft system.
The draft's third round often feels like teams are throwing darts blindfolded, but occasionally you find someone like Aljun Melecio who brings that spark off the bench that can change games. Though he went undrafted initially before landing with Phoenix later, his college career at La Salle showed exactly the kind of fearlessness we'll need from our guards when facing international competition. I can't count how many times I've watched our national team struggle against the disciplined defensive systems of teams like Iran—we need guards who can create their own shots against tight defenses.
Looking back at that 2019 class now, what strikes me is how several of these players have already begun making impacts that could eventually benefit the national program. The PBA draft isn't just about stocking franchise rosters—it's the primary pipeline for developing the talent that will one day represent our country against the very best in Asia and beyond. When I think about that vision of competing with Africa's and the Middle East's finest, I see its foundation being laid in drafts like this one. The 62 players selected across three rounds that day represented not just professional aspirations, but potential building blocks for our international basketball future.
The reality is, closing the gap with teams like Tunisia and Egypt requires sustained talent development through mechanisms like the PBA draft. What encourages me is seeing how the league has gradually placed more emphasis on skills that translate internationally—three-point shooting, switchable defenders, versatile bigs. The 2019 class particularly stood out for its depth in wings and combo guards, precisely the positions where we need to develop depth to handle the athleticism and length we consistently face against our Pool A rivals.
I'll be watching these 2019 draftees closely over the coming years, not just for how they impact their PBA teams, but for their potential to elevate our national program. The dream of seeing the Philippines consistently compete with Asia and Africa's best doesn't happen through wishful thinking—it happens through strategic player development that begins on draft night. And based on what we've seen so far from this particular class, I'm more optimistic than I've been in years about our chances of eventually turning that vision into reality.