5 players to watch out for in the 2025 PBA Draft

As the 2025 PBA Draft nears, the attention has largely been focused on the likes of former UP Fighting Maroon Juan Gomez de Liano, Filipino-American Jason Brickman, and former Gilas Youth standouts Geo Chiu and Dalph Panopio on where they’ll land for the league’s historic 50th season.

But there are a lot of other players in the draft that have the ability to help — or even change the course of the 12 PBA teams selecting for two rounds. There are hidden gems that have quietly made a name for themselves in both the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and more recently, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The league has seen franchise-altering players picked late in the draft, like PJ Simon in 2001, when he was drafted in the fifth round, second-round pick Cyrus Baguio in 2003, and one of the PBA’s greatest shooters of all time, Jeff Chan, when he was selected 17th overall in the second round in 2008.

With this year’s draft on the horizon, these are some players whose draft stocks are not as high as Brickman’s or Chiu’s but could be steals for whoever selects them:

CLASS OF SEASON 50 ☝🏽

The PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft Combine showcases 128 aspirants, all vying to prove their worth and secure a spot in the league. | 📸 RM Chua/One Sports#PBA50 #PBAAngatAngLaban pic.twitter.com/2kRccNmaou

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) September 4, 2025

Will Gozum – F, Benilde Blazers

After struggling for minutes with the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP, the 6-foot-5 big man found his stride with the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, where he transformed into the team’s cornerstone and captured the NCAA Season 98 Most Valuable Player award while steering CSB to its first Finals appearance in two decades. Gozum became one of the league’s most dependable bigs, leading the Blazers to back-to-back Finals runs.

A hardworking rotation big man who can contribute scoring inside, provide energy off the bench, and complement star frontcourts, Gozum has the tools to create a lengthy career in the PBA as a reliable do-it-all big. 

Yukien Andrada – C, San Beda University

An integral cog in San Beda’s junior and collegiate crowns in Seasons 95 and 99, respectively, Andrada became one of the anchors for the Red Lions when he climbed to the collegiate level in  Season 97. He continually guided the red-and-white to the Final Four during his stint, and eventually helped them climb back to the top of the NCAA mountain in 2024 alongside Jacob Cortez.

The 6-5 center is explosive for his size and has reliable outside shooting. In this generation of stretch-bigs, Andrada fits the mold. Not to mention his clutch shooting that consistently saved the Red Lions during his time, more specifically during his last season, when he became the captain after Cortez’s departure to La Salle.

Winston Ynot – G, College of Saint Benilde

Ynot was a decorated high school standout from San Beda but blossomed into a two-way dynamo in college with Benilde. The guard helped the Blazers reach the Finals in Season 100 and established himself as a premier player after posting 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists in Game 2.

The 5’11 guard is known for his energy and burst that fueled Benilde’s season. His well-roundedness, mixed with high effort, could entice franchises to take a chance and build him to become a great two-way role player who could deliver in the big moments in the league.

Christian Manaytay – F, University of Santo Tomas

One of the lesser-known players ahead of the draft, Manaytay had a slow start to his career with the Growling Tigers, suffering through losing seasons until his breakout season in Season 87, when the 6-4 big helped UST break its five-year Final Four drought after averaging 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

The versatile forward is one of the most consistent low-post scorers in the league due to his craftiness and mastery of scoring against bigger guys in the paint. He has also shown that he can produce the same results at the professional level, after currently averaging 7.2 points and 4 rebounds as part of the Rice Vanguards in the MPBL.

Jack Cruz-Dumont – G, University of the East 

Cruz-Dumont rose to popularity in Season 87 after becoming one of the most lethal shooters in the UAAP with an exciting UE team. The son of John Dumont, a former Pasig Pirates player in the now-defunct MBA, used his size as a guard to become one of UE’s most reliable scorers after averaging 6.2 points and three rebounds.

A 6’4 guard, Cruz-Dumont uses a combination of explosiveness and strength to easily make space for his shooting, and also has the ability to be effective on the defensive end. He could become a valuable role player—possibly even a steady starter in the right system in the league.

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