2025 PBA Draft Analysis: Top 5 Draft Steals!

 

The 2025 PBA Draft was widely perceived to be of lower quality compared to previous years, with many analysts and coaches tempering expectations. However, this very perception made the draft a goldmine for potential steals, particularly after the first round. With top prospects having been taken off the board, teams were forced to dig deeper, and in doing so, they may have found some hidden gems. Here are five players who could end up as the biggest steals from the 2025 PBA Draft.

5. Will Gozum (Phoenix Fuel Masters)

It is a head-scratcher that Will Gozum fell to number eight in the draft, especially with the scarcity of good centers in the PBA. He is a skilled big man with a high basketball IQ who was named the NCAA MVP in 2023. While an ACL and MCL injury slowed him down, he has since returned to form. For him to fall to the Phoenix Fuel Masters, a team that has been looking for a quality big man for years, could be a perfect fit. Phoenix is getting a player who has the potential to be a star and a cornerstone for their franchise, and they got him without giving up a major asset.

4. Kobe Monje (Converge FiberXers)

Converge's selection of Kobe Monje in the second round was a solid pick for a team that is looking to build for the future. Monje, a product of the Letran Knights, is a "do-it-all" forward who is productive on both ends of the court. He can score, rebound, and defend multiple positions, which makes him a valuable asset in the modern PBA. Monje's versatility and his high motor will be a great addition to the FiberXers' young core.

3. Jack Cruz-Dumont (Blackwater Bossing)

It is a surprise that Jack Cruz-Dumont, a former UE Red Warrior, ended up outside the first two rounds of the draft. The 6-foot-4 wing is a reliable outside shooter and a good defender. He is the kind of player who can fit into any system and provide immediate contributions. For Blackwater, a team that is in a constant state of flux, getting a player like Cruz-Dumont in the third round is a huge steal. He is a player who can be a valuable role player for years to come.

2. Cole Micek (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)

The biggest steal from the 2025 PBA Draft could be Cole Micek, who somehow fell to the third round and was picked by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Micek is a a torrid scorer who has played professionally overseas. He is a skilled guard with good size and a high basketball IQ. For him to be drafted at number 34 is a mystery. His new team is the perfect place for him to flourish, as he will be under the tutelage of Coach Yeng Guiao, a man known for his ability to get the best out of his players. This is a dream scenario for Micek, and it would not be a surprise if he becomes one of the top rookies in the coming season.

1. John Barba (Undrafted)

Perhaps the most shocking snub of the 2025 PBA Draft is John Barba, who went undrafted despite being a member of the NCAA mythical team. Barba, a former LPU Pirate, is a an efficient top scorer in the NCAA and has a proven track record of being a productive player. It is a complete mystery as to why he was not picked in the draft. He deserves a chance to prove himself in the professional league, and it would not be a surprise if a PBA team takes a chance on him as a free agent. For a team in need of a scorer, Barba would be a no-brainer.

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