I still remember watching that incredible Game 7 at the Big Dome back in 2013, holding my breath as LA Tenorio sank that three-pointer with just 3.1 seconds left on the clock. That 88-87 victory for Ginebra wasn't just another playoff moment—it was a testament to how draft picks from years prior could develop into clutch performers when their teams needed them most. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've always found it fascinating to trace these career arcs back to draft night, particularly the 2010 PBA Draft class that produced several players who would eventually shape crucial moments like that Game 7 semifinal.
Looking back at the 2010 PBA Draft now, what strikes me most isn't just the raw talent available that year, but how differently these careers unfolded. The draft was held at the Market! Market! in Taguig on August 29, 2010, and I recall the palpable excitement surrounding top prospects like Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Rey Guevarra. Both were picked first and second respectively by Air21, but neither quite reached the superstar status many predicted. Al-Hussaini, the 6'7" center out of Ateneo, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency throughout his career, bouncing between five different teams before his PBA journey ended. Meanwhile, Guevarra, despite winning the 2016 PBA Three-Point Shootout, never quite became the franchise player many envisioned.
What fascinates me about evaluating draft classes years later is recognizing how initial expectations rarely match reality. The third pick that year, Nonoy Baclao—also to Air21—became known more for his defensive presence than offensive fireworks, which honestly suited his game perfectly. I've always appreciated players who embrace their role rather than trying to be something they're not. Then there was John Wilson at number four to B-Meg, who had some explosive scoring performances but never quite found the right system to maximize his talents long-term. The draft's real gems, as often happens, came from later picks and unexpected places.
The fifth selection, Elmer Espiritu to Alaska, played only 27 games in the PBA—a classic example of how the draft remains an imperfect science. Meanwhile, guys picked outside the lottery like Allein Maliksi (11th to Barangay Ginebra) and Mac Baracael (12th to Alaska) developed into reliable rotation players who contributed meaningfully to multiple franchises. Maliksi in particular proved doubters wrong by evolving into a dependable scorer who's still active today. I've always rooted for these underdog stories—players who outperform their draft position through sheer determination and continuous skill development.
What many casual fans forget is that the 2010 draft also included serviceable role players like RJ Jazul (7th to Alaska) and Josh Vanlandingham (18th to Powerade), who carved out respectable careers through specialized skills and basketball IQ. Jazul's court vision and leadership made him a valuable piece for multiple teams, while Vanlandingham provided defensive versatility that kept him in the league longer than many higher-drafted players. These are the types of selections that separate good drafting teams from great ones—identifying players who can contribute meaningfully even if they're not headline-makers.
The connection between that 2010 draft class and memorable moments like Tenorio's Game 7 heroics isn't direct, but it's there in the league's ecosystem. Tenorio himself was drafted back in 2006, but his development into a clutch performer represents what teams hope their draft picks will become. The four-day turnaround between that semifinal and the finals illustrates how teams must constantly balance immediate needs with long-term development of drafted players. Having watched countless draft picks flame out while others exceed expectations, I've come to believe organizational fit and development programs matter as much as raw talent.
Reflecting on these career journeys fourteen years later, what stands out is how unpredictable player development truly is. Of the 35 players selected in that 2010 draft, only about twelve carved out significant PBA careers lasting five-plus seasons. The rest either bounced between teams as role players or faded from the league entirely. This attrition rate reminds me why I'm somewhat skeptical of draft hype—for every can't-miss prospect who delivers, there's another who never adjusts to the professional game's demands.
The true value of any draft class reveals itself over years, not games. While the 2010 group didn't produce multiple MVP candidates, it did yield solid professionals who contributed to championship teams and memorable playoff moments. That Game 7 at the Big Dome, decided by a single point in the final seconds, perfectly encapsulated how drafted players develop at different rates and contribute in varied ways. Some become stars who take last-second shots, while others become the rotation players who help teams reach those moments. Both are essential to building competitive teams, which is why I still find draft analysis so compelling years after the selections are made.