PBA Draft recap: A few risers and fallers as teams maximize 124-deep talent pool to fill needs

Stephen Holt, a coveted talent and veteran of pro basketball from various parts of the world, is ready to take his NBL and NBA G League experience to the PBA by becoming the first overall pick in the Season 48 PBA Draft, going to the Terrafirma Dyip. 

The Blackwater Bossing, meanwhile, surprised some fans by taking Christian David, a prospect out of the US NCAA Division I team Butler Bulldogs. David, however, has been high on the pundits' lists. Coach Yeng Guiao's Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stuck to its plans of selecting size, taking UAAP Season 85 Mythical Team member Luis Villegas and Chico State alumnus Keith Datu with their third and fourth picks.  

UP FIghting Maroons selected Zavier Lucero went fifth to NorthPort in a dip compared to some forecasts, but perhaps no bigger fall was seen in the first round compared to La Salle Green Archer Schonny Winston, who went to the Converge FiberXers at the ninth pick. 

Shooter Kenneth Tuffin, who has played in the UAAP and New Zealand, went to the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the sixth pick. Richie Rodger was selected next by the NLEX Road Warriors, while Brandon Bates fills in Meralco Bolts' need for size. 

Another UAAP talent in former Ateneo Blue Eagle BJ Andrade joins Winston in Converge's first round hauls. Cade Flores and Taylor James, two of the risers in the draft, round out the first round, going to NorthPort Batang Pier and Terrafirma, respectively. 

A total of 79 names were called in this year's draft. See below for a recap of the rest of the picks: 

First round 

Second round 

Third round 

Fourth round

Fifth round 

Sixth round (other teams passed)

Seventh round

Eighth round 

Ninth round 

10th round 

11th round