2014 PBA draft
The 2014 PBA draft was the tenth annual rookie draft of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the country's premier professional basketball league, held on August 24, 2014, at the Midtown Atrium in Robinson's Place Manila to select eligible amateur, collegiate, and international players for the 2014–15 season.[1][2] The draft commenced without major surprises in the early selections, with GlobalPort Batang Pier choosing Fil-American guard Stanley Pringle from Penn State as the first overall pick, followed by point guard Kevin Alas selected second by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters via a trade-acquired pick from Meralco Bolts.[1][2] San Miguel Beermen secured the third pick, forward Ronald Pascual, through a draft-day trade with Barako Bull Energy that involved players Jojo Duncil and Chico Lanete plus future draft assets; NLEX Road Warriors followed with Matt Ganuelas-Rosser at fourth, and Alaska Aces picked Chris Banchero fifth despite pre-draft expectations that he might go higher.[1][2] Later first-round selections included Rodney Brondial (sixth, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel), twin brothers Anthony Semerad (seventh, GlobalPort) and David Semerad (tenth, Barako Bull), Jericho Cruz (ninth, Rain or Shine), and Juami Tiongson[3] (twelfth, Blackwater Elite).[1] A standout and highly publicized moment came in the eleventh slot, where expansion team Kia Motors selected world-renowned boxer Manny Pacquiao in a self-nomination as a special case, though he had no intention of actively playing and used the pick for promotional purposes.[2][1] The event also signified the integration of two new expansion franchises, Kia Motors and Blackwater Elite, into the league following their earlier participation in the July 2014 expansion draft, expanding the PBA to twelve teams and injecting fresh talent into the competition.[4][1] Overall, the draft class was viewed as solid but not exceptional, with Pringle and Alas emerging as the headliners expected to make immediate impacts.[2]Background
Eligibility and applicant pool
To be eligible for the 2014 PBA draft, applicants were required to be natural-born Filipino citizens or persons who had elected Filipino citizenship upon reaching the age of majority, including dual citizens and Fil-foreigners who could provide proof of Filipino heritage via a Philippine passport or Bureau of Immigration certification.[5] Fil-foreign applicants under 27 years old also needed to have participated in at least two PBA D-League conferences to qualify.[6] The age requirement was set at a minimum of 21 years old by the draft date, a reduction from the previous limit of 23; applicants younger than 21 could still qualify if they had completed a four-year college degree.[7] There was no explicit cap on prior professional games played outside the PBA in 2014, though applicants from international leagues were scrutinized for their amateur status and compliance with these citizenship and participation rules. A total of 87 players submitted applications by the August 13 deadline, marking one of the largest applicant pools in PBA history at the time and featuring a mix of local college standouts, Fil-American talents, and players from overseas professional leagues.[8] This diverse group included prominent college performers from the UAAP and NCAA, as well as Fil-Ams who had honed their skills in U.S. collegiate systems or Asian circuits, reflecting the league's growing emphasis on global Filipino talent. Among the top prospects were several high-profile names expected to shape the draft. Stanley Pringle, a 27-year-old Fil-American guard standing at 6'0", had played college basketball at Penn State University and gained domestic exposure through the PBA D-League with the Shopinas Clickers, showcasing his scoring and playmaking abilities.[6] Kevin Alas, a 22-year-old point guard from Colegio de San Juan de Letran at 6'0", was a two-time NCAA champion known for his leadership and perimeter shooting after leading the Knights to back-to-back titles.[9] Other notable applicants included Chris Banchero, a 6'1" Fil-American forward from Seattle Pacific University with prior stints in the NBA D-League; Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, a 6'5" athletic wing from Ateneo de Manila University who had played professionally in Japan; and Frank Golla, a 6'9" center from Ateneo with strong rebounding potential.[8] These candidates represented the blend of local development and international experience that characterized the pool. The draft itself took place on August 24, 2014, at Robinsons Place Manila, with the event broadcast live by Sports5 on TV5 and AksyonTV, drawing significant attention amid the entry of expansion teams Blackwater and Kia, who held assigned picks at the end of the first round.[10]Expansion teams' involvement
The 2014 PBA expansion introduced two new franchises, Blackwater Elite and Kia Motors, which joined the league following the expansion draft held on July 18, 2014, to prepare for the 2014–15 season.[4] These teams were required to participate in the expansion draft as a prerequisite, where they selected veteran players from the rosters of the existing 10 PBA teams, each of which could protect up to 12 active players.[11] This process allowed Blackwater and Kia to build initial rosters before entering the rookie draft, ensuring they had a foundation of experienced talent while adhering to league rules designed to balance competition.[12] In the rookie draft structure, Blackwater and Kia received special protections to aid roster development, including guaranteed selections at the end of each round without eligibility for the draft lottery. Kia was assigned the 11th pick in the first round, while Blackwater held the 12th, positioning them after the 10 lottery-determined picks for the incumbent teams.[4] This arrangement extended to later rounds, where the expansion teams were granted additional picks—specifically, they were the only participants allowed to select players starting from the third round onward, providing them with extra opportunities to acquire rookies and deepen their lineups.[13] The entry of these expansion teams altered the overall draft order, expanding the first round to 12 selections and shifting positions for the original franchises, which now competed for the top 10 spots via the lottery based on their previous season's performance. By excluding Blackwater and Kia from the lottery process, the PBA aimed to give the newcomers a fair but non-competitive entry point, preventing them from potentially securing high-value picks while still enabling meaningful participation in building competitive rosters.[14]Draft lottery
Process and draw
The 2014 PBA draft lottery was held on July 1, 2014, prior to Game 1 of the Governors' Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines.[15] The process determined the order of the first-round selections for the league's 10 incumbent teams, based on their reverse cumulative standings from the 2013–14 season, with the two teams holding the worst records—GlobalPort Batang Pier and Meralco Bolts—participating in a lottery to decide the No. 1 overall pick.[16] Expansion teams Blackwater Elite and Kia Sorento, which joined the league later via an expansion draft on July 18, were excluded from this lottery and assigned picks at the end of the first round.[17] Due to a prior trade, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters held the rights to Meralco's lottery selection.[18] The lottery format gave the team with the worst record (GlobalPort) a 67% chance of securing the top pick, achieved by assigning two out of three identical balls to represent them, while the second-worst team (Meralco) had one ball and a 33% chance.[18] The remaining picks from No. 3 onward followed the reverse order of the previous season's standings for the 10 teams, unaffected by the lottery outcome.[19] This structure ensured that the lottery only shuffled the top two positions, with the winner taking No. 1 and the loser dropping to No. 2, thereby setting the initial segment of the full draft order. PBA Commissioner Chito Salud personally conducted the draw at center court, placing the three balls into an opaque white box before selecting one to determine the top pick.[15] No team representatives were permitted near the box during the process, and Salud handled both the placement and drawing of the balls without displaying his hands afterward.[15] The result for the No. 1 pick was announced immediately, allowing the top three selections—now finalized based on the lottery outcome and fixed reverse standings—to be revealed on the spot, providing clarity for the upcoming rookie draft on August 24, 2014.[16]Results
The 2014 PBA draft lottery, conducted on July 1, 2014, prior to Game 1 of the Governors' Cup Finals, determined the top two picks in the first round. GlobalPort Batang Pier won the first overall selection after Commissioner Chito Salud drew one of the two balls labeled with their name from a container of three balls.[20] The second pick was awarded to the Meralco Bolts, but rights to that selection had been traded to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a prior transaction.[14] Entering the draw, GlobalPort held a 66.67% probability of securing the No. 1 pick due to their last-place finishes in both the Commissioner's Cup (2–7 record) and Governors' Cup (7–4 record but overall poor standing), while Meralco had a 33.33% chance based on their combined performance across the two conferences.[18] The third through tenth picks were fixed based on the reverse order of the teams' combined win-loss records from the 2013–14 season's first two conferences, with adjustments for pre-draft trades. Air21 Express received the third pick as the team with the second-worst overall record, followed by Barako Bull Energy in fourth. A separate lottery for the expansion teams assigned the eleventh pick to Kia Sorento and the twelfth to Blackwater Elite, reflecting their entry as new franchises without prior records.[14][4]| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | GlobalPort Batang Pier |
| 2 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from Meralco Bolts) |
| 3 | Air21 Express |
| 4 | Barako Bull Energy |
| 5 | Alaska Aces |
| 6 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel |
| 7 | San Mig Coffee Mixers (from Barako Bull Energy from San Miguel Beermen) |
| 8 | Barako Bull Energy (from Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters) |
| 9 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters |
| 10 | Barako Bull Energy (from San Mig Coffee Mixers) |
| 11 | Kia Sorento |
| 12 | Blackwater Elite |
Controversy
The 2014 PBA draft lottery drew significant criticism for its lack of transparency, as the draw was not televised and lacked sufficient oversight, leading to allegations of irregularities by Rain or Shine, who held Meralco's pick through a prior trade. Coach Yeng Guiao described the process as "crude" and "lacking in credibility," pointing to issues such as the absence of a Meralco representative, the use of an opaque box containing three rubber balls (two for GlobalPort and one for Meralco), and Commissioner Chito Salud failing to show his hands after placing and drawing the balls. Guiao further noted suspicions raised by YouTube viewers of the event, likening Salud's actions to those of a "salamangkero" (magician), implying potential manipulation despite GlobalPort's 2-in-3 probability of winning.[21][18][22] Rain or Shine formally requested a re-draw and investigation from the PBA board, positioning themselves as the "aggrieved party" due to their stake in the top pick. The PBA board held an emergency meeting on July 5, 2014, and ultimately denied the request, ruling that the lottery was conducted honestly with no evidence of rigging. Commissioner Salud issued an apology for the "unrefined manner" of the draw but maintained its integrity, a stance accepted by Rain or Shine and the board in an amicable resolution.[21][23][18] The controversy prompted widespread media coverage in Philippine outlets, highlighting perceived favoritism toward GlobalPort and eroding trust in the league's processes. Fans echoed these concerns online, fueling debates about the lottery's fairness and amplifying calls for reform. In response, the PBA discontinued the lottery system after 2014, reverting to a draft order based on reverse standings from the previous season to ensure transparency and prevent similar disputes.[19][22][24]Draft selections
First round
The first round of the 2014 PBA draft, held on August 24 at the Midtown Atrium in Robinsons Place Manila, Manila, featured 12 selections by the league's teams, focusing on high-potential prospects to address immediate roster needs.[2][25] The order was set by the prior draft lottery, prioritizing teams like GlobalPort for the top choice.[20] This round highlighted a mix of Fil-Am talents, local college standouts, and a unique celebrity entry, with teams emphasizing guards and wings to bolster backcourts and scoring options.[26]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GlobalPort Batang Pier | Stanley Pringle | Guard | Fil-Am, Penn State, ABL and European leagues experience |
| 2 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Kevin Alas | Guard | Letran, Gilas cadet, FIBA Asia Cup participant |
| 3 | San Miguel Beermen | Ronald Pascual | Forward | San Beda, Gilas cadet, sweet-shooting wing |
| 4 | NLEX Road Warriors | Matt Ganuelas-Rosser | Forward | Ateneo, Gilas cadet, D-League performer |
| 5 | Alaska Aces | Chris Banchero | Guard | Fil-Italian, ABL Finals MVP, high basketball IQ |
| 6 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | Rodney Brondial | Forward | Adamson, versatile frontline addition |
| 7 | GlobalPort Batang Pier | Anthony Semerad | Forward | San Beda, athletic big man for depth |
| 8 | Barako Bull Energy | Jake Pascual | Forward | San Beda, young interior prospect |
| 9 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Jericho Cruz | Guard | Adamson, emerging backcourt talent |
| 10 | Barako Bull Energy | David Semerad | Forward | San Beda, twin brother of Anthony, rebounding focus |
| 11 | Kia Sorento | Manny Pacquiao | Forward | Boxer-turned-player, self-selected as playing-coach |
| 12 | Blackwater Elite | Juami Tiongson | Guard | Ateneo, consistent scorer from international tournaments |
Second round
The second round of the 2014 PBA draft featured 12 selections, primarily targeting role players to bolster team depth, with an emphasis on versatile wings, athletic big men, and defensive specialists to address specific roster gaps such as frontcourt size and perimeter defense.[2] Unlike the first round's focus on high-upside stars, these picks often included collegiate standouts valued for their immediate contributions in limited roles, reflecting the PBA's need for balanced benches amid the league's physical style of play.[28] Several trades from prior seasons influenced the order, allowing teams like Alaska and GlobalPort to accumulate multiple selections for added flexibility.[2] The following table summarizes the second-round picks:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Alaska Aces (from Meralco) | Rome dela Rosa | Small forward | San Beda College |
| 14 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (from GlobalPort) | Kevin Espinosa | Forward | Mapúa Cardinals |
| 15 | Barako Bull Energy | Philip Paredes | Center | San Sebastian Stags |
| 16 | Alaska Aces (from NLEX) | Junjun Alas | Power forward/center | Colegio de San Juan de Letran |
| 17 | GlobalPort Batang Pier (from Alaska) | Prince Caperal | Center/power forward | Arellano University |
| 18 | Barako Bull Energy (from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel) | Philip Morrison | Forward | University of the East |
| 19 | GlobalPort Batang Pier (from Alaska via Meralco and Petron) | John Pinto | Guard | Letran Knights |
| 20 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | Harold Arboleda | Guard | San Beda Red Lions |
| 21 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Mike Gamboa | Forward | University of the East |
| 22 | Barako Bull Energy (from San Miguel Beermen) | Gab Banal | Guard | University of the East |
| 23 | Blackwater Elite | Frank Golla | Forward | Southwestern University |
| 24 | Kia Sorento | Kyle Pascual | Power forward | Far Eastern University |
Third round
The third round of the 2014 PBA draft featured 13 exclusive picks allocated solely to the expansion teams Blackwater Elite and Kia Sorento, allowing them to address remaining roster needs after the earlier expansion draft and initial rounds.[1] This allotment reflected the league's accommodation for the new franchises to build competitive depth without competing against established teams in this phase.[26] The teams alternated selections, with Kia starting the round, resulting in seven picks for Kia and six for Blackwater.[1] Both franchises prioritized local college standouts and under-the-radar amateur talents to inject immediate bench production and long-term potential into their lineups, emphasizing versatile guards, forwards, and big men from Philippine universities and leagues.[26] Blackwater's approach centered on adding height and athleticism to complement their earlier acquisitions, such as selecting athletic guards and forwards like Brian Heruela and Raul Soyud for perimeter defense and rebounding.[26] Kia, meanwhile, used the round to stockpile quantity alongside select intriguing prospects, including boxer Manny Pacquiao's brother Rene Pacquiao, though many choices drew scrutiny for their relative obscurity compared to higher-profile draftees.[1][2] The full selections are as follows:| Pick | Team | Player | School/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Kia Sorento | Rene Pacquiao | San Beda College |
| 26 | Blackwater Elite | Brian Heruela | San Beda College |
| 27 | Blackwater Elite | Maclean Sabellina | University of Visayas |
| 28 | Kia Sorento | Kenneth Ighalo | Arellano University |
| 29 | Kia Sorento | Paolo Taha | Ateneo de Manila University |
| 30 | Blackwater Elite | Juneric Baloria | University of the East |
| 31 | Blackwater Elite | Raul Soyud | Ateneo de Manila University |
| 32 | Kia Sorento | Jeremy Bartolo | Southwestern University |
| 33 | Kia Sorento | Anthony Gavieres | Jose Rizal University |
| 34 | Blackwater Elite | Clark Bautista | University of the Philippines |
| 35 | Blackwater Elite | Reneford Ruaya | University of the East |
| 36 | Kia Sorento | Richard Cole | De La Salle University |
| 37 | Kia Sorento | Victor Giorgio Umali | Seattle Pacific University |
Fourth round
The fourth round of the 2014 PBA draft featured selections exclusively by the expansion team Kia Sorento, as Blackwater Elite passed on all their allotted picks, focusing instead on their earlier acquisitions to build a competitive core. This round served primarily as a mechanism for Kia to add depth and fulfill the league's minimum roster requirements, selecting low-profile prospects with potential for practice squad roles rather than immediate rotation contributions. Unlike the third round, which provided shared opportunities for both expansion franchises, the fourth round underscored Kia's need for fillers amid their unique draft strategy, including the high-profile selection of Manny Pacquiao in the first round.[1] Kia's picks targeted overlooked college athletes, emphasizing versatility and basketball pedigree over star potential. Blackwater passed on picks 38 and 39. With pick 40, Kia selected point guard Jonathan Banal from Mapúa Institute of Technology, a second-generation player from a prominent basketball family—his uncle Joel Banal was a former PBA coach and player—bringing leadership and court vision to the backcourt.[36] Finally, with pick 41, Kia drafted point guard Michael Acuña from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, a steady handler valued for his fundamentals despite limited pre-draft hype. Blackwater passed on pick 42.[1] These selections marked the conclusion of the 2014 PBA draft, with a total of 41 players chosen across all rounds to populate the rosters of the league's 12 teams.[25]| Overall Pick | Round Pick | Player | Position | College | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 1 | Pass | - | - | Blackwater Elite |
| 39 | 2 | Pass | - | - | Blackwater Elite |
| 40 | 3 | Jonathan Banal | PG | Mapúa Institute of Technology | Kia Sorento |
| 41 | 4 | Michael Acuña | PG | University of Perpetual Help System DALTA | Kia Sorento |
| 42 | 5 | Pass | - | - | Blackwater Elite |
Trades involving draft picks
Pre-draft trades
Prior to the 2014 PBA Rookie Draft on August 24, several prior transactions reshaped the selection order, with teams exchanging draft rights through player swaps completed well in advance of the lottery draw on July 1.[14] A key pre-draft trade occurred in August 2012, when the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters acquired the Meralco Bolts' first-round pick for the 2014 draft in a straight swap for forward Ronjay Buenafe.[14] This deal positioned Rain or Shine to inherit Meralco's lottery position based on regular-season records, ultimately granting them the No. 2 overall selection after GlobalPort won the top spot in the draw.[14] The transaction was part of Rain or Shine's strategy to bolster their future draft assets, allowing them to target high-profile prospects like Stanley Pringle or Kevin Alas without relying solely on their own standings.[14] By securing this pick two years earlier, Rain or Shine altered the projected top of the draft order, as Meralco's poorer performance that season would have otherwise placed them higher in the lottery.[14] No other major first-round pick swaps were reported in the months immediately preceding the lottery, though earlier deals from previous seasons influenced second- and later-round rights for various teams.[2] These pre-draft maneuvers emphasized the PBA's emphasis on long-term planning, enabling competitive teams like Rain or Shine to access lottery-level talent despite stronger on-court results.Draft-day trades
Several trades were executed on draft day, August 24, 2014, at the Robinsons Place Manila, altering the selection order and injecting real-time excitement into the proceedings. These spontaneous negotiations allowed teams to maneuver for preferred prospects, directly impacting the first-round outcomes.[28] One of the earliest and most notable swaps occurred early in the first round when Barako Bull Energy traded its third overall pick to the San Miguel Beermen. In exchange, Barako Bull received forwards Chico Lanete and Jojo Duncil, along with San Miguel's 2014 second-round pick and a 2016 first-round pick. This move enabled San Miguel to select forward Ronald Pascual at No. 3, bolstering their frontcourt depth, while Barako Bull acquired immediate roster help and future assets to address their rebuilding needs.[37][2] Later in the first round, another significant exchange took place between the San Mig Coffee Mixers and GlobalPort Batang Pier for the seventh overall selection. San Mig Coffee traded its seventh overall pick and 2016 second-round pick to GlobalPort in exchange for GlobalPort's 2016 first-round pick and 2018 second-round pick. GlobalPort then used the seventh pick to select forward Anthony Semerad. The trade positioned GlobalPort to add Semerad's versatile scoring and athleticism to their backcourt-heavy lineup, while San Mig Coffee gained valuable future draft capital to complement their championship roster.[37][28] These draft-day transactions, limited primarily to the first round, underscored the fluid nature of the event and influenced subsequent picks by reshaping team priorities on the spot. No major swaps were reported in the later rounds, allowing the proceedings to proceed more straightforwardly after the initial drama.[2]Undrafted players
List of undrafted applicants
Out of the 87 applicants in the final list for the 2014 PBA draft, 48 players were selected across the four rounds, resulting in approximately 39 undrafted applicants who met the league's eligibility requirements but were not chosen.[8][1] These undrafted players encompassed a diverse group, including local prospects from Philippine colleges, Filipino-Americans, and a few international applicants, all listed on the official PBA applicant sheet released in August 2014.[8] The following is a partial alphabetical enumeration of notable undrafted applicants, including their associated colleges or universities:| Player Name | College/University |
|---|---|
| Acain, Jeffrey | De La Salle University-Dasmariñas |
| Acidre, Rocky | Arellano University |
| Adormeo, Arnold | University of Mindanao |
| Agovida, Keith Jasper | Arellano University |
| Alano, Justine Mathew | University of Perpetual Help |
| Alcasabas, Raymond | San Sebastian College |
| Allen, Evan George | University of Perpetual Help |
| Atienza, Julius | Far Eastern University |
| Avillanoza, Andrew | University of Central Florida |
| Baloran, Mervin | National University |
| Bautista, Jerald | Jose Rizal University / STI College |
| Belorio, Jonathan | Colegio de San Juan de Letran |
| Berry, Mark Joseph | National University |
| Bonifacio, Franklin Jr. | Los Positas College |
| Cabrera, Roider Ross | Adamson University |
| Casajeros, Lord Howier | University of the East |
| Coronel, Philip Roi | St. Clare College of Caloocan |
| Corpuz, Jackson | Philippine Christian University |
| Cortes, Jamieson II | Colegio de San Juan de Letran |
| Delgado, Franz Ian | San Sebastian College |
| Dickens, Lester Tyrone | Olivares College |
| Elinon, Alwin | Rizal Technological University |
| Estole, Erwin | San Sebastian College |
| Flores, Amante | University of Manila |
| Foja, Hazel | Manuel L. Quezon University - Pasay |
| Foronda, John Julien | Colegio de San Juan de Letran |
| Gomez, Marlon | Philippine Christian University |
| Gutierrez, Ritchie Paul | De La Salle University |
| Importante, Vincent King | Adamson University |
| Jamon, Jan Niccolo | Emilio Aguinaldo College |
| Juico, Michael Vincent | San Sebastian College |
| Liaz, Flavio Christian | University of Perpetual Help |
| Maiquez, John Dexter | San Sebastian College - Recto |
| Mendoza, Gryann | Far Eastern University |
| Mendoza, Mark Jovet | De La Salle University |
| Montemayor, Jeff Richard | Jose Rizal University |
| Montemayor, John Allen | Jose Rizal University |
| Morillo, Jefferson | Technological Institute of the Philippines |
| Olivares, Ralf | University of the Visayas / University of the East |
| Orbeta, Paolo | De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde |
| Paniamogan, Philip Criszam | Jose Rizal University |
| Pateño, Edmar Erwin | University of Mindanao |
| Perlas, Justin Philip | Asian Summit College |
| Reyes, Earnest Efren | Bulacan State University |
| Robrigado, Renato Antonio | Wellington Institute of Technology |
| Santos, Alan Dominic | Adamson University |
| Semira, Jonathan | San Sebastian College |
| Sicat, George Michael | University of Perpetual Help System |
| Tan, Daryle | Triton College |
| Tesoro, Cody John | Western Oregon University |
| Tria, Allan Jayson | Technological University of the Philippines |
| Viernes, Jeff Alvin | St. Clare College |
| Villahermosa, Jess Mar | San Beda College |
| Yaya, Russel | Emilio Aguinaldo College |