What To Expect From The 2025 PBA Draft

The 2025 PBA Draft is expected to be loaded with talents from the collegiate league and returning players who tried their luck abroad.

Typically, the draft order is based on the teams' performance in the previous season, with the last-placed team getting the first pick. The 2025 draft will be for the PBA's 50th season. What do we know so far and how will the Meralco Bolts is expected to fare.

Here's what is known about the 2025 PBA draft so far:

Potential Top Picks: Terrafirma (or Starhorse if they purchase the team) is projected to have the #1 pick due to their last-place finish in the previous season. Phoenix and Magnolia are also likely to have high picks.

Draft Order Determination: The draft order is determined by a combination of the team's performance in the Philippine Cup (40 percent of the points) and the Commissioner's and Governor's Cups (30 percent each).

Draft Prospects: Some key names to watch include Quentin Millora-Brown, Michael Phillips, Kobe Paras, CJ Lane, Rhenz Abando, and Jason Brickman. There's also speculation about players like LJ Gonzales, Yukien Andrada, and Jack Dumont potentially declaring.

Eligibility Requirements: Players must be natural-born Filipino citizens, be 22 years old on the day of the draft, and meet specific college eligibility requirements or have played in the PBA Developmental League.

Meralco Bolts: Meralco is on pace to pick at No. 9 with its fifth-place finish in both the Governors’ Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup, followed by Rain or Shine who could be at No. 10 after a solid showing of third in the Governors’ Cup and fourth in the Commissioner’s Cup.