Will Allyn Bulanadi Get Drafted in the PBA? Latest Updates and Predictions

As someone who has followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen countless prospects navigate the unpredictable waters of the PBA draft. The case of Allyn Bulanadi particularly fascinates me because it represents more than just one player's journey—it's a story about timing, team needs, and how injuries can reshape entire franchises' draft strategies. When I look at Bulanadi's situation, I see a player who could either become one of the biggest steals of this draft class or fade into the background if he lands in the wrong situation.

The injury situation at TNT Tropang Giga has created what I believe to be a perfect storm of opportunity for players like Bulanadi. Let's talk numbers here—TNT lost Jayson Castro to that devastating patellar tendon injury back in February during the Commissioner's Cup, and they've been dealing with what feels like a revolving door of medical issues ever since. Castro isn't just any player; we're talking about a six-time PBA Best Player of the Conference who averaged around 14 points and 4 assists last season. When you remove that kind of production and leadership from a lineup, it creates vacancies that need filling, not just in the short term but potentially long-term given Castro's age. From my perspective, teams facing these kinds of roster crises often approach drafts differently—they're not just looking for the best available talent but for specific pieces that can address immediate needs.

Bulanadi's college career at San Sebastian showed flashes of brilliance that make me think he could be exactly what struggling teams need. I remember watching him drop 31 points against CSB back in 2019—the kid has undeniable scoring instincts. His UAAP averages of around 16 points per game in his final season tell only part of the story. What impressed me most was his movement without the ball and his willingness to take big shots in crunch time. These aren't skills you can easily teach, and in a league where half-court execution often decides games, having a player who understands spacing and can create his own shot is invaluable.

Now, here's where I might differ from some analysts—I don't think Bulanadi is a surefire first-round pick despite his obvious talents. The PBA draft has become increasingly unpredictable in recent years, with team needs often trumping pure talent evaluation. We've seen players who dominated the collegiate ranks fall to the second round while relatively unknown prospects get snapped up early based on specific team requirements. What gives me pause about Bulanadi's draft stock is the question of where he fits defensively at the professional level. At 6'2", he's somewhat caught between positions—not quite quick enough to consistently guard elite PBA point guards but potentially undersized against the league's physical shooting guards. I've seen similar players struggle with this transition, though the ones who succeed often become invaluable rotation pieces.

The TNT injury situation I mentioned earlier could work in Bulanadi's favor in ways that aren't immediately obvious. When a championship-caliber team like TNT suffers multiple injuries to key players, they're not just looking for temporary replacements—they're often reevaluating their entire roster construction. Castro's injury specifically creates a need for backcourt scoring, which happens to be Bulanadi's strongest attribute. From my conversations within basketball circles, I've gathered that TNT is considering using their later picks on players who can provide immediate offensive spark rather than project players who need years of development. This philosophy could perfectly align with what Bulanadi brings to the table.

Looking at other teams in the draft order, I see potential landing spots that might surprise people. Blackwater, for instance, has been rebuilding their roster and might value Bulanadi's scoring punch off the bench. Terrafirma has historically valued collegiate production in their draft evaluations. What many fans don't realize is that draft position isn't just about talent—it's about fit, organizational philosophy, and sometimes plain old luck. I've seen years where perfectly good players slipped through the cracks because the teams picking simply didn't have room at their position, while less talented players went earlier because they filled specific needs.

My prediction? I think Bulanadi gets drafted somewhere in the second round, probably between picks 15 and 20. The PBA draft typically has around 25-30 selections total, so this would place him in the later stages but still secure him a roster spot. The ideal scenario in my view would be landing with a team like TNT that has immediate minutes available due to injuries or a team like NLEX that has shown willingness to develop offensive-minded guards. What encourages me about Bulanadi's prospects is that the PBA has gradually shifted toward valuing scoring versatility—the ability to play multiple positions and score from different areas on the court. This plays directly into Bulanadi's strengths as a player who can catch-and-shoot, create off the dribble, and score in transition.

The wild card in all this is how teams evaluate Bulanadi's performance in the PBA D-League and any pre-draft workouts. These settings often reveal more about a player's professional readiness than their college tape alone. I've attended enough of these workouts to know that teams pay close attention to how players handle defensive schemes, their conditioning levels, and their ability to absorb coaching quickly. If Bulanadi has impressed in these settings—and I've heard whispers that he has—he could easily move up several spots in the draft order.

At the end of the day, the PBA draft remains one of the most fascinating processes in Philippine sports precisely because of stories like Bulanadi's. Here's a player with legitimate talent facing uncertain prospects due to factors largely beyond his control. The injury situation at TNT and other teams will inevitably reshape draft strategies, potentially creating opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist. While I can't guarantee where he'll land, my professional assessment tells me that Bulanadi has done enough to warrant a serious look from multiple teams. His scoring ability alone makes him worth the risk in the second round, and if he lands in the right situation with patient coaching and development opportunities, I believe he could become a reliable rotation player within two seasons. The draft is always part talent evaluation, part fortune-telling, and part plain luck—but if I were a PBA general manager with a late second-round pick, I'd seriously consider taking a chance on Allyn Bulanadi's potential.