Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 3, 2026

2005 PBA draft

The 2005 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie draft was an event at which teams drafted players from the amateur ranks. It was the first PBA Draft to feature only two rounds of drafting and the first draft held in August due to the league's adjustment of the season calendar. It was held on August 14, 2005 at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal. Air21 Express won the draft lottery over the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

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2005 PBA draft
General information
DateAugust 14, 2005
Time4:00 pm
LocationSta. Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta, Rizal
NetworkABC
Overview
LeaguePhilippine Basketball Association
First selectionJay Washington (Air21 Express)

The 2005 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie draft was an event at which teams drafted players from the amateur ranks. It was the first PBA Draft to feature only two rounds of drafting and the first draft held in August due to the league's adjustment of the season calendar.1 It was held on August 14, 2005 at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal.2 Air21 Express won the draft lottery over the Sta. Lucia Realtors.3

Round 1

* Mythical team member # All-star
Pick Player Country of origin* PBA team College
1 Anthony Washington*  United States Air21 Express Eckerd
2 Alex Cabagnot*  United States Sta. Lucia Realtors Hawaii-Hilo
3 Denok Miranda  Philippines Coca-Cola Tigers FEU
4 Jondan Salvador  Philippines Purefoods Chunkee Giants St. Benilde
5 Mark Cardona*  Philippines Air21 Express De La Salle
6 Niño Canaleta  Philippines Air21 Express UE
7 Michael Holper  United States Barangay Ginebra Kings San Diego State
8 Paolo Hubalde  Philippines San Miguel Beermen UE
9 Leo Najorda  Philippines Red Bull Barako San Sebastian

Round 2

Pick Player Country of origin* PBA team College
10 Cesar Catli  Philippines Sta. Lucia Realtors FEU
11 Neil Rañeses  Philippines Coca-Cola Tigers UV
12 Al Magpayo  Philippines Coca-Cola Tigers St. Benilde
13 BJ Manalo  Philippines Purefoods Chunkee Giants De La Salle
14 Larry Fonacier#  Philippines Red Bull Barako Ateneo
15 Mark Joseph Kong  Philippines Alaska Aces Adamson
16 Rey Mendoza  Philippines Sta. Lucia Realtors NU
17 Paolo Bugia  Philippines Red Bull Barako Ateneo
18 Mark Macapagal#  Philippines Talk 'N Text Phone Pals San Sebastian

Eligibility

The PBA reached out to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) to allow its student-athletes to join the draft, but the UAAP denied the PBA's request.4 By the end of the application period, 55 players declared for the draft. This was later reduced to 49 applicants.5

The following were the eligibility requirements for local players:6

  • All applicants must be 23 years old on the day of the draft;
  • Must have graduated from college or high school in 2001.

Eligibility requirements for Filipino-foreigner entrants (Filipino-foreigners) were similar to the locals', but beginning this year, stricter guidelines were implemented:7

  • All Filipino-foreigner entrants must undergo an interview;
  • Play at least 25 games in a local league;
  • All Filipino-foreigner entrants must submit citizenship documents proving their Filipino lineage, including a Bureau of Immigration certificate of recognition, Department of Justice affirmation, and either an authentic birth certificate either from the National Statistics Office (if born in the Philippines), or an equivalent document if born outside the country. The deadline for submitting these was originally on May 1, but extended to May 31.78

The eligibility of these players were allowed to be contested should the documents be found illegitimate.7

Undrafted players

Draftee's name followed by college. All undrafted players become rookie free agents.

Note

*All players are Filipinos until proven otherwise.

References

References

  1. Henson, Joaquin M. (August 5, 2005). "PBA draft rationalized to 2 rounds". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  2. "Air21 picks Washington". The Manila Times.
  3. Navarro, June (July 4, 2005). "Beermen secure 2-0 lead". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  4. "UAAP not relaxing rules for PBA draft". Philstar.com. July 1, 2005. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  5. Henson, Joaquin M. (August 14, 2005). "It's Washington at No. 1 for sure". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  6. "45 na ang aplikante sa PBA Draft". Philstar.com. July 15, 2005. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  7. Navarro, June (January 18, 2005). "Stricter rules for Fil-foreign PBA hopefuls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  8. Navarro, June (May 26, 2005). "Ginebra halts 4-game FedEx winning skein". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 21, 2026. Meanwhile, players classified as half-Filipinos and seeking to join the 2005 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Draft have until May 31 to submit their respective applications.
  9. Henson, Joaquin M. (March 26, 2010). "Perseverance pays off for PBA rookie". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
  10. Henson, Joaquin M. (June 28, 2012). "Hat-trick for Baguion?". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2026-04-21.