2027 PBA Mock Draft: Greatest Class Ever?
The 2027 PBA Draft is shaping up to be the most loaded draft in league history. It’s so stacked, in fact, that we’re not even waiting for January before we put our thinking caps on.
It’s mock draft time, folks.
This upcoming draft is a PBA scout’s paradise: a cornucopia of talent from positions one through five, thanks to two batches of top-tier college graduates and an influx of competitors who’ve competed overseas. Suffice to say, most picks in the first round of this mock draft will follow the “best talent available” school of thought rather than “best fit.”
Every month, we’ll update this mock draft based on stellar performances in leagues like the MPBL, the UAAP, and the NCAA. Until further notice, we’ll go with a draft order that’s based on each PBA team’s finish in the Season 50 Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. (Also, unless a KBL or B.League stalwart makes clear their intention to join the PBA draft, our young studs in those leagues won’t be joining the proceedings here.)
ROUND 1
#1 MIKE PHILLIPS – NLEX Road Warriors (via Blackwater)
Even in a loaded draft, you can have an odds-on favorite for the no. 1 pick. Mike Phillips is the type of impact player that every PBA coach covets. With his incredible motor, defensive versatility, and vastly improved inside game, Phillips stands head and shoulders above everyone else in this draft class.
#2 JACOB CORTEZ – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (via Terrafirma)
Coach Tim Cone and team manager Alfrancis Chua are certainly spoiled for choice with this pick. But the last time they got their hands on a court general with impeccable shot-making, they ended up bagging a key championship piece. Decades after leading Flying A and The Cool Cat to the promised land, Cone could be pairing RJ Abarrientos with another clutch player in Jacob Cortez.
#3 KYMANI LADI – Titan Ultra Giant Risers
Even before Kymani Ladi played his first UAAP game, Pinoy fans were already wondering when he’d get to suit up for Gilas. In his lone season with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Ladi showcased his ability to shoot from the midrange and beyond the arc, as well as his proficiency when he puts the ball on the floor. Titan Ultra, a team that could lose Joshua Munzon before this calendar year ends, could use a primary scorer like Ladi.
#4 MASON AMOS – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
It would be interesting to see if the Fuel Masters keep this pick; I’ve been saying for years that this team is one veteran away from becoming a legit playoff contender. If Phoenix does pick fourth in this draft, they won’t go wrong with picking a sweet-shooting big who has Gilas credentials. While Will Gozum takes care of business inside, Mason Amos will knock down one flawless trey after another.
#5 DJ FENNER – Terrafirma Dyip (via Converge)
Remember that 3-0 start the Dyip had in the Commissioner’s Cup? At this point, two vital cogs of that “blazing” start (Paolo Hernandez and Jerrick Ahanmisi) are no longer with the team. What a shame that Terrafirma couldn’t hold on to that duo, but they have a chance to recoup that firepower by drafting DJ Fenner. A former Division 1 player with Nevada and veteran of European leagues, Fenner thrives in a fast-paced game, where he can hurt opponents with transition threes and strong drives to the rim.
#6 DOM ESCOBAR – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (via NLEX)
The Fuel Masters could use size at the wing position, and Dom Escobar brings that and more. The one-and-done forward from Ateneo has a lethal midrange game, and he’s capable of defending positions one through three without getting blown by. Plus, Escobar’s playmaking should take some pressure off Evan Nelle’s shoulders.
#7 JD CAGULANGAN – Magnolia Timplados Hotshots
We’ve got an entire conference to go in Season 50, but with all due respect, Jerom Lastimosa has been shaky when it comes to endgame decisions. Here’s a solution: Move Lastimosa off the ball (he’s a talented scorer, anyways), and draft a pure point guard to make LA Tenorio happy. JD Cagulangan, a two-time UAAP champion with KBL experience, would go a long way in helping the Hotshots win crunchtime situations.
#8 JAKE FIGUEROA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
We’re now approaching the territory of first-round “steals.” Honestly, there were bound to be a ton of those, given the depth of this draft class. What makes Jake Figueroa a viable pick at no. 8 is his match made in heaven with Rain or Shine’s fiery guru. The former NU Bulldog fits the prototype commonly associated with Yeng Guiao’s wards: more low-key than high-key, extremely coachable, and unafraid of the big moment.
#9 ALLEN LIWAG – Meralco Bolts
The strongest suit of Meralco’s offense is their excellent guard play, with the primary protagonists being Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, and CJ Cansino. It makes sense, then, for the Bolts to shore up their frontline with a big man who can give his backcourt mates more opportunities to shoot. Two-time NCAA MVP Allen Liwag should help Meralco control the glass, and once he learns how to translate his interior game into pro-level scoring, he’ll become an even more formidable big man.
#10 NIC CABAÑERO – San Miguel Beermen
It’s the rich getting richer indeed. One way or another, the Beermen always find a way to get their hands on high-octane scorers. With the bevy of talent in this draft, they could somehow get this opportunity to welcome Nic Cabañero, the most capable three-level scorer that the UST program has produced in years. (The SMC group, by the way, is committed to supporting the Growling Tigers till UAAP Season 90. Just saying…)
#11 JOMEL PUNO – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Having gone with a backcourt scorer at the no. 2 position, Ginebra can opt to add size and athleticism in the frontcourt this time around. Jomel Puno fits the bill here, as the 6-foot-5 product of San Beda has the hops and the agility to finish plays off those triangle sets. The two-time NCAA champion could learn a thing or two from Troy Rosario, particularly when it comes to being a legitimate inside-outside threat.
#12 REY REMOGAT – Blackwater Bossing (via TNT)
Sedrick Barefield and Christian David could be gone from Blackwater before Season 50 ends. In the event that one or both of these young studs get dealt, finding a prospect with main character energy would be a top priority of coach Pat Aquino. This much we know: When Rey Remogat is handed the keys to a franchise, he drives full throttle and puts on a show every night. After his final season in the UAAP (which I genuinely believe to be an upcoming MVP-type campaign), Remogat can take his combo guard excellence to the next level.
ROUND 2
#13 RAVEN GONZALES – NLEX Road Warriors (via Blackwater)
After adding Motor Mike, how else can the Road Warriors beef up their frontline? Get the high-IQ big that Phillips used to play with at La Salle. Raven Gonzales will find his nifty little push shot/floater/baby hook quite useful in the PBA.
#14 JOHN ABATE – Terrafirma Dyip
John Abate has all the physical tools needed to thrive in the pro setting. UE’s former main man is quick on his feet, his upper body strength is underrated, and he has the ability to finish through contact.
#15 CEDRICK MANZANO – Converge FiberXers (via Titan Ultra)
Justin Arana’s name has been floating around in trade rumors for quite some time. If Arana does bolt the FiberXers, they can fill in the gap by adding Cedrick Manzano. Built like a tank and fundamentally sound in the paint, Manzano went from a lengthy Nash Racela mentorship to a gold medal campaign with Norman Black at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
#16 HAROLD ALARCON – Converge FiberXers (via Phoenix)
It’s possible, of course, that Converge will package their second-round picks to either trade up or acquire a more established asset. If they do keep this pick, they can add a two-way guard by drafting Harold Alarcon. He’s now an improved playmaker in the MPBL, and something tells me that the FiberXers’ fanbase will expand if Alarcon puts on that purple jersey…
#17 KEAN BACLAAN – Titan Ultra Giant Risers (via Converge)
Titan Ultra desperately needs an identity by the start of Season 51. How about “explosive, high-octane system?” Kean Baclaan can give them exactly that. With his booming triples and beautiful dimes in the paint, the former Green Archer would jumpstart the Giant Risers’ offense with ease.
#18 JUSTINE SANCHEZ – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (via NLEX)
Am I banking on Charles Tiu to get the CSB band back together at Phoenix? You bet I am. After the Fuel Masters secured the services of JC Cullar, Will Gozum, and Tony Ynot over the past year or so, they can get even more Blazers with the Season 51 draft class. Just like he did at Benilde, Justine Sanchez could play the role of versatile forward on both ends of the floor when he gets drafted by Phoenix.
#19 GANI STEVENS – Magnolia Timplados Hotshots
The Hotshots need youth at the four and five positions. At no. 19, Gani Stevens is their man. I may be full of it, but the 6-foot-7 center has been showing flashes of Marc Pingris when he crashes the offensive glass. Yeah, I said it.
#20 CLINT ESCAMIS – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Had Clint Escamis joined the 2025 PBA Draft, I daresay he would have been a high first-round pick. Alas, injuries have hurt his stock over the past year or so. Somehow, I don’t see that necessarily bothering coach Yeng and his braintrust. At full health, Escamis is a multifaceted scoring threat who more than holds his own on the defensive end.
#21 KEVIN SANTOS – Meralco Bolts
Kevin Santos has been a rising star over the past two NCAA seasons, earning his first Mythical Five distinction in 2025. A defensive menace who alters shots in more ways than one, Santos could learn a lot from Cliff Hodge in that Meralco locker room.
#22 PATRICK SLEAT – Titan Ultra Giant Risers (via San Miguel)
In the event that the Giant Risers hold on to this late second-round pick, they can add another physically imposing forward in the person of Patrick Sleat. A longtime protege of Olsen Racela, Sleat is now polishing his scoring skills with the San Juan Knights in the MPBL.
#23 RC CALIMAG – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
RC Calimag is a second-generation gunner who was, quite simply, born to get buckets. Calimag, who boasts championship gold from both UP and San Beda, can earn Tim Cone’s trust by consistently converting from deep.
#24 TERRENCE FORTEA – Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (via TNT)
For better or for worse, Terrence Fortea never met a green light that he didn’t like. Surrounded by so many playmakers on the Elasto Painters’ lineup, Fortea will frequently find himself open from deep. And that’s just the way this pure shooter likes it.
This is the first version of our 2027 PBA Mock Draft. We will update this page every month as we draw closer to what could be the greatest draft class ever in league history.
