Top 5 Greatest Number 1 Draft Pick in the PBA

The PBA Annual Draft is one of the most exciting event in which all teams can acquire new talents from collegiate division and amateur leagues. The draft started on 1985 where the two time PABL MVP, Santiago “Sonny” Cabatu, is the top pick which is selected bt Shell.

The 1989 PBA Draft is considered as one of the richest draft pool in the PBA history, while the 2000 PBA Draft is the weakest pool ever.

Now, here is my top 5 number 1 picks in the PBA.

TOP 5:  MARLOU AQUINO

Known as ‘The Skyscraper”, he is best remembered playing under Sonny Jaworski’s Ginebra Gin Kings/Gordon Gin Boars. He was picked first overall in the 1996 draft.

In the amateur league, he was a fout-time MVP, playing for the Stag Pale Pilsen in the PBL. He was also the first Gin King since Dondon Ampalayo, to win the ROY award. Famous for his “Kili-Kili (Armpit)” or “Jolen (marble)” shot. He averaged 18.7 PPG and 9.3 RPG during his rookie year. He led the team to 1997 Commissioner’s Cup Championship against Alaska Milkmen, bannered by their import, Chris King.

But after traded to Sta. Lucia in 2000 and in 2008 by Barako Bull, Aquino showed “downfall” on his game.

TOP 4: WILLIE MILLER

Drafted in 2001 by the Red Bull team, he also played two seasons for the defunct MBA under the Nueva Ecija Patriots.

In 2002, after his rookie season, Miller won the 2002 PBA MVP, in which he is considered as the only MVP with a scoring average below 10 per game. There are some critics that Miller won the MVP because the top players in the league is very busy with the National Team training pool.

In 2004, he was traded to Talk N Text Phonepals and in 2006, he was traded again, this time to Alaska Aces. While playing for the Aces, he bagged his second MVP in 2007 and led the Aces to 2007 Fiesta Cup Championship. He is also the Finals MVP. In 2010, he was traded to Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. And in 2011, he was traded back to Barako Bull (formerly Air 21)

TOP 3: DANNY ILDEFONSO

In 1998, he was picked by Shell in the draft, but traded to San Miguel Beermen, in exchange of the sweet shooting Noy Castillo.

A back-to-back MVP in 2000 and 2001, he led the Beermen to numerous championships from 2000 up to the present season. He also won five straight Best Player of the Conference between 2000 and 2001 season.

During the Governor’s Cup finals against the grand slam seeking, Talk N Text, he made a buzzer beater shot against Ali Peek to win Game 1 of the series.

TOP 2: ALLAN CAIDIC

The “Triggerman”, was selected by Great Taste in the 1987 PBA Draft. A very well-known player prior to the draft, the streak shooting Caidic is also a member of the NCC, the team created by Ron Jacobs for international competition.

He won the 1990 MVP and was selected by Jaworski to play for the 1990 RP team in the Asian Games. During the tourney, he and Samboy Lim were selected to Mythical First Team in the Asian Games.

He is best remembered by setting a record for point scored in one game 79 points against Ginebra San Miguel.

TOP 1: BENJIE PARAS

The “Tower of Power”, was the first pick overall by Shell during the 1989 PBA Draft. He was also the first and only (as of this time) winner of the ROY and MVP at the same time. He guided his team to numerous championships during the 1990’s. He even repeat the feat after 10 years of playing in the league, to win the PBA MVP again in 1999.

During his second MVP run, the league was “invaded” by Fil-Ams like Sonny Alvarado, Danny Seigle, Asi Taulava, Eric Menk and others, but he was not intimidated and powered his team to the 1999 All Filipino Cup Championship against the league-returning power house team, Tanduay Rhum Masters.