During the buildup to the PBA Season 50 Draft, three names consistently topped everyone’s boards — Juan Gomez de Liaño, Jason Brickman, and Dalph Panopio.
Any of the three could make a strong case to be this year’s top overall pick.
However, on the final day of application submissions, a disruptor entered the picture — 6-foot-9 Geo Chiu.
With that, the consensus is clear: those four are projected to be the first names called during Sunday’s festivities at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
But who will round out the rest of the first round in this top-heavy draft class?
Here’s Tiebreaker Times’ mock draft:
#1 Terrafirma: Geo Chiu
(C) MPBL
College: Ateneo de Manila University
Club: Abra Solid North
Geo Chiu chose the perfect time to declare for the draft, knowing that this year’s class lacks depth and gives him a chance to become the No. 1 overall pick.
After all, height is always a premium in the PBA.
At 6-foot-9 and just 24 years old, Chiu is still a developing prospect with his best years ahead of him. He has also built valuable experience after Ateneo, playing in Taiwan’s Asian Tournament, Japan’s B.League with Ehime, and most recently in the MPBL with Abra Solid North.
Currently, he is averaging 6.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in nine games with the Weavers.
If the Dyip are indeed being positioned for a sale this season, a frontcourt pairing of Chiu and fellow 6-foot-9 big man Kemark Cariño could make the franchise more attractive to potential buyers.
#2 Converge: Juan Gomez de Liano
(C) KBL
College: University of the Philippines
Previous Club: Seoul SK
Converge traded Bryan Santos to Phoenix and swapped picks for one reason — to land Juan Gomez de Liaño.
On a roster already loaded with talent, Gomez de Liano could be the missing piece to elevate the FiberXers’ fortunes.
At 25 years old, the 6-foot guard already boasts extensive international experience, having played for Tokyo Z in Japan, BC Wolves in Lithuania, and Seoul SK in Korea.
A crafty scorer who can create his own shot, he’s exactly the kind of weapon Converge will need if a deal with Mikey Williams fails to materialize.
#3 Blackwater: Dalph Panopio
(C) INBL
College: Cal State Bakersfield
Previous Club: Mumbai
Though his college career at Cal State Bakersfield was quiet, simply reaching the NCAA Division I level as a recruit is already an achievement.
Local coaches praise Panopio as a pure point guard with excellent playmaking skills — the kind of facilitator every PBA team values. At 6-foot-1, he’s also considered a big guard for his position.
At 25, Panopio makes sense ahead of Jason Brickman, who is eight years older.
#4 NorthPort: Jason Brickman
College: LIU Brooklyn
Club: Abra Solid North
Finally, Jason Brickman is set to enter the PBA.
At 33, his window is limited, but his elite court vision remains intact, as shown in the 2025 William Jones Cup. Even in his later years, Brickman still has the tools to orchestrate an offense at the highest level.
#5 NLEX: Chris Koon
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
College: Ateneo de Manila University
At 6-foot-5, Chris Koon is one of the biggest guards in this class — and perhaps in the entire PBA.
Throughout his Ateneo stint, he showed a willingness to do the dirty work: defend, rebound, and hit timely shots. Though he has yet to fully define his game, at just 24 years old, his upside makes him a worthy investment for NLEX.
#6 Magnolia: L-Jay Gonzales
(C) MPBL
College: Far Eastern University
Club: Quezon
With Rafi Reavis’ retirement, Magnolia could use another big man. But since this draft only has one true center, the Hotshots may be better off investing in their future backcourt.
Enter L-Jay Gonzales.
At 5-foot-11, Gonzales has proven himself a reliable scorer with FEU and Quezon. If Magnolia is already preparing for the eventual retirement of Mark Barroca (39) and the twilight years of Paul Lee (36), pairing Gonzales with Jerom Lastimosa could be a smart long-term move.
#7 Meralco: Yukien Andrada
College: San Beda University
If Magnolia passes on him, Meralco should waste no time snapping up Yukien Andrada.
The 6-foot-5 forward, younger brother of former Alaska big man Yutien Andrada, doesn’t play the traditional low-post game. Instead, he thrives on the perimeter, shooting 35.4% from deep on 113 attempts in his senior year with San Beda.
Named team captain in his final season, Andrada also proved his potential as a vocal leader.
#8 Phoenix: Will Gozum
College: College of Saint Benilde
Club: Quezon
Had this been 2023, Will Gozum would likely have gone much higher in the draft.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t sustain his MVP-level play at Benilde in his final year and then tore his ACL during his first season with Quezon. Currently, he’s working his way back, averaging 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11 games.
Even so, he remains the best talent available at No. 8 for Phoenix.
#9 San Miguel: Vince Magbuhos
College: College of Saint Benilde
Club: Quezon
San Miguel coach Leo Austria could be getting another Adamsonian in Vince Magbuhos.
At 6-foot-5, Magbuhos is considered a late bloomer who grew during his stint with Quezon in the MPBL. He averaged 6.0 points on 30% shooting from deep and 5.0 rebounds.
A Filipino-Italian wing, he brings versatility and size to the Beermen’s already stacked roster.
#10 Rain or Shine: Christian Manaytay
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
College: University of Santo Tomas
Club: Nueva Ecija
At 6-foot-5, Christian Manaytay is exactly the kind of forward Rain or Shine needs to keep up with the PBA’s taller teams.
He averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in his senior year with the Growling Tigers. He then continued to be a steady presence with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the MPBL, where he’s putting up 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
#11 Ginebra: CJ Austria
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
College: De La Salle University
Club: Abra Solid North
In recent years, Ginebra has consistently drafted players with strong pedigrees, and CJ Austria fits the mold.
A 6-foot-3 guard, Austria won multiple championships with La Salle in both 5-on-5 and 3×3 competitions. While his performance dipped in UAAP Season 87 due to injuries, he has since redeemed himself with Abra, providing valuable minutes behind Dave Ildefonso.
His toughness and championship pedigree are qualities that coach Tim Cone will certainly value.
#12 Rain or Shine: Mark Omega
College: Colegio de San Juan de Letran
In a draft thin on big men, Rain or Shine would be wise to stock up on size — and Mark Omega is a solid way to close out the first round.
The 6-foot-5 forward will play his final collegiate year at Letran, but his defensive reputation is already well-established. During his time with Perpetual Help, he was the team’s defensive anchor, averaging 8.2 rebounds in NCAA Season 99 and earning an All-Defensive Team nod the year prior.
