From Top Pick to MVP: The Elite Club of #1 Overall Picks Who Conquered the PBA
In the world of Philippine basketball, being selected as the #1 overall pick in the PBA Draft is a huge honor — a declaration of potential greatness. But turning that potential into reality is something else entirely. Over the years, only a select few have taken that leap — from draft day dreams to MVP greatness.
Here’s
a look at the elite list of first overall
picks who lived up to the hype and went on to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP)
award in the PBA.
Allan Caidic – The Triggerman Who
Took Over
But
Caidic wasn’t just a scorer. He led Tivoli to the
All-Filipino Cup Championship, cementing his legacy as one of
the most feared shooters in league history. His name still echoes in
discussions of the greatest pure scorers the league has ever seen.
Benjie Paras – The Towering
Rookie-MVP
Drafted
by Formula Shell, the 6’5” center delivered 25.79
points, 12.98 rebounds, 2.05 assists, and 2.05 blocks per game
in his rookie campaign. Paras didn’t just dominate statistically — he also led Shell to the finals of the
Open Conference that year. Nicknamed "The Tower of Power," Paras set
the gold standard for rookie excellence.
Vergel Meneses – The Aerial
Voyager’s MVP Flight
That
year, he averaged 20.03 points,
3.34 rebounds, and 5.41 assists per game, guiding Sunkist to back-to-back championships
in the All-Filipino and Commissioner's Cup. Meneses' mix of flair and
leadership made him an icon of the 90s and a true MVP in every sense.
Danny Ildefonso – The Beast of the
Early 2000s
Originally
drafted by Shell in 1998 and immediately traded to San Miguel, Danny Ildefonso became a
cornerstone for the Beermen.
He
was awarded back-to-back MVP titles in 2000 and 2001,
with his 2000 campaign standing out: 15.16 points,
8.78 rebounds, and 3.20 assists per game. Ildefonso played a massive role in San Miguel's double championship season,
winning both the Commissioner's and Governor's Cups. His inside presence and
hustle became the soul of the Beermen’s dominance.
Willie Miller – The Versatile MVP
from Red Bull to Alaska
His
best season came in 2007, averaging 19.06 points,
4.74 rebounds, and 5.19 assists per game. That year, he powered Alaska to a Fiesta Conference title,
proving he could lead any squad to success. Miller’s flashy but effective game
made him one of the most entertaining and valuable players of his era.
Kelly Williams – The Athletic Force
Behind Sta. Lucia’s Last Stand
He
didn’t just rack up numbers — Williams led Sta. Lucia to the
Philippine Cup title, the franchise's final championship before
leaving the league. His MVP campaign was a story of redemption and resurgence
for a team that desperately needed a leader.
June Mar Fajardo – The Kraken and
the King of MVPs
When
June Mar Fajardo was drafted
1st overall by Petron in 2012, many saw potential. But few expected him to completely redefine PBA dominance.
Fajardo
holds the record for most MVPs in league history
with 8, and his best season came in 2017–18 when he averaged 20.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and
1.3 blocks per game. That year, he led San Miguel to its fourth
straight Philippine Cup title, breaking the three-peat record
held by Talk 'N Text.
Fajardo
is not just one of the greatest #1 picks — he’s arguably the greatest player in
PBA history.
Being
picked first in the PBA Draft is a tremendous responsibility — it comes with
pressure, expectations, and a spotlight that can be blinding. But these men
didn’t just live up to the hype — they rewrote league history.
From
Allan Caidic’s shooting to Fajardo’s inside dominance, the
journey from top pick to MVP
is rare — but when it happens, it becomes legendary.
So
the next time the PBA Draft rolls around, remember: sometimes, greatness is
chosen — literally — with the very first pick.
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