Chiu leads record rookie class as top pick in PBA Season 50 draft

It was the fifth time in the past seven seasons that Terrafirma owned the first pick.

Terrafirma made former Ateneo big man Geo Chiu the No. 1 overall choice in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Rookie Draft, which drew a record 122 applicants, at the Mall of Asia Music Hall, September 7.

Converge selected guard Juan Gomez de Liaño at No. 2 after acquiring the pick from Phoenix, while Blackwater followed with playmaker Dalph Panopio at No. 3. NorthPort opted for wingman Chris Koon at fourth, and NLEX completed the top five by taking guard Ljay Gonzales.

Magnolia chose forward Yukien Andrada sixth, and Meralco snapped up veteran guard Jason Brickman at seventh.

Phoenix used the eighth slot on Will Gozum, San Miguel took Chris Miller ninth, and Rain or Shine selected Christian Manaytay 10th before Barangay Ginebra grabbed Sonny Estil at No. 11. Rain or Shine closed the first round by drafting Jun Roque at No. 12.

The draft order was determined by each club’s overall finish across the league’s three conferences last season, with the Philippine Cup weighted more heavily than the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups.

The selection process ran through 12 rounds, with Terrafirma making the most choices, including Shawn Umali in the second round and a string of names in later rounds such as Aurin Catacutan, Ira Bataller, Claude Camit, Tristan Medina, and Franz Diaz.

Several teams eventually passed on picks as the draft stretched on.

This year’s rookie class marked the largest turnout since the league introduced the draft format in 1985, ushering in a fresh wave of talent as the PBA celebrates its golden season.