football scores today

I still remember the excitement buzzing through the basketball community back in 2007 when the PBA rookie draft class was announced. Having followed Philippine basketball for over two decades now, I can confidently say this particular draft class brought something special to the league—a mix of raw talent, untapped potential, and players who would eventually shape the landscape of professional basketball in the country. What makes this memory particularly vivid for me is recalling that iconic moment when Team manager Jojo Lastimosa and PBA board chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas joined Pangilinan and the rest of the team at the conference room of the PLDT office in Makati City for the viewing party. That gathering wasn't just about watching names get called—it was the beginning of multiple career journeys that would unfold over the next decade and beyond.

When we look at the 2007 draft picks, it's impossible not to start with Joe Devance, who went first overall to Alaska. I've always believed Devance was one of the most underrated players in PBA history, and his career trajectory proves it. Over his 14-year career, he managed to win eight championships across three different franchises—a testament to his versatility and basketball IQ. What impressed me most about Devance was how he evolved from a pure scorer into a complete player who could facilitate, defend multiple positions, and hit clutch shots when it mattered. His journey through Alaska, B-Meg/San Mig Coffee, Barangay Ginebra, and eventually returning to Alaska showed remarkable adaptability. I remember watching him in the 2016 Governors' Cup finals where he averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists—those numbers don't fully capture how he controlled the game's tempo and made everyone around him better.

Then there's Samigue Eman, the second overall pick by Coca-Cola, who stood at 6'9" with incredible physical tools. Honestly, I thought he'd become a dominant force in the paint, but his career never quite reached those heights. He bounced around six different teams over nine seasons, averaging just 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds—numbers that fell short of what many expected from such a high draft pick. From my perspective, Eman's story represents the challenging transition some big men face from amateur to professional basketball. The PBA's physical style seemed to overwhelm him at times, and he never developed the offensive repertoire needed to compete against more seasoned big men. Still, I respect that he carved out a professional career lasting nearly a decade, which is an achievement in itself.

The third pick, Doug Kramer, brought a different kind of value to the league. Selected by Air21, Kramer became the quintessential role player—the kind of guy who might not fill up stat sheets but does all the little things that help teams win. Over his 13-year career with five different franchises, he averaged a modest 5.4 points and 5.8 rebounds, but his real impact came through screens, defensive positioning, and locker room presence. I've always appreciated players like Kramer because they understand their role and excel within it without demanding spotlight or excessive touches. His journey through Air21, Barako Bull, Powerade, Rain or Shine, and Phoenix showed remarkable longevity for a player who never put up flashy numbers.

Looking further down the draft, we find gems like Jonas Villanueva, selected seventh by Purefoods, who developed into a reliable point guard despite not being a top pick. His career spanned nine seasons with three teams, and I particularly remember his clutch performances in the 2010 Philippine Cup where he averaged 14.3 points and 4.2 assists. Meanwhile, later picks like Chito Jaime (18th overall) and Mark Andaya (24th overall) had more modest careers but still contributed meaningfully to their teams. Jaime's three-point shooting provided spacing for Powerade's offense, while Andaya's defensive presence in the paint, though limited to just three seasons, gave Alaska valuable minutes off the bench.

What fascinates me about analyzing this draft class fifteen years later is seeing how their careers diverged from initial expectations. Only about 60% of the drafted players lasted more than five seasons in the league—a statistic that highlights how difficult it is to sustain a PBA career. The successful players from this class shared certain qualities: adaptability, work ethic, and basketball intelligence beyond physical gifts. Devance's success stemmed from his ability to reinvent his game multiple times, while Kramer's longevity came from embracing his role completely. The less successful picks often struggled with either injuries or inability to adjust to the professional game's demands.

Reflecting on that draft viewing party at the PLDT office, it's remarkable how those few hours set in motion careers that would span over a decade for some. The presence of key decision-makers like Lastimosa and Vargas underscored how seriously teams approached this draft, and rightfully so—these selections would shape their franchises for years to come. From my vantage point as a longtime observer, the 2007 class may not have produced the flashiest superstars, but it delivered solid professionals who contributed significantly to the league's competitive balance and provided countless memorable moments for fans like myself. Their journeys remind us that basketball careers aren't just about raw talent—they're about perseverance, adaptation, and making the most of opportunities when they come.