In this five-part series, we look back at the PBA drafts from 1985 - the year the league instituted a rookie draft - to 2015 and try to identify the biggest steals of each draft. We've published the steals from 1985-1990 and 1991-1996. Here are the ones from 1997-2002.
The end of the 1990s ushered in another chapter for the PBA. Perhaps the biggest change in the league's identity -- the arrival of game-changing Filipino-Americans -- came in the early 2000s. Players like Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, and Ali Peek came and redefined the forward and center positions, becoming perennial MVP candidates for several years.
But since this is a list of the top draft steals from 1997 to 2002, we shine a light on the players who flew under the radar and eventually carved out solid careers. While these names weren't MVP candidates by any stretch, they still showed their wares for many years.
1997
Top overall pick (Mobiline) - Andy Seigle, New Orleans
Steal (Formula Shell) - Ernesto "Estong" Ballesteros, University of Santo Tomas (1st Round, 4th overall)
In a draft were only 14 players were chosen, and the top three picks (Seigle, Nic Belasco and Jason Webb) a lock, Shell did the right thing by nabbing Ballesteros, who was fresh off a four-peat with UST in the UAAP. Estong was never a star in the league, and he bounced around to several teams after Shell, including Pop Cola and Ginebra before ending his PBA career with the Welcoat Dragons.
But give Ballesteros credit because he won titles in the PBA with Ginebra in the 2004 Fiesta Conference and 2005 Philippine Cup. Winning titles in both the UAAP and the PBA is a feat any Filipino would be proud of.
1998
Top overall pick (San Miguel) - Danny Ildefonso, National University
Steal (San Miguel) - Will Antonio, Chaminade (1st round, 5th overall)
The only reason that Antonio gets the nod as a steal in the 1999 Draft is because Brixter Encarnacion was drafted ahead of him as the 4th pick by Pop Cola. But the Beermen absolutely nailed this pick, because Antonio made his name by being one of the best 3-point shooters during his time in the league. Antonio, who played a total of 12 years in the PBA, won the 2006 3-Point Shootout during the All Star Festivities. He actually retired in 2007 to join the coaching staff of the Coca-Cola Tigers, but rejoined the team as a player in 2010. He played five productive years with the Tigers (under both Coca-Cola and Powerade) before ending his career with the GlobalPort Batang Pier.
1999
Top overall pick (Tanduay) - Sonny Alvarado, Austin, Texas
Steal (Pop Cola) - Felix Belano, University of Visayas (2nd round, 14th overall)
The year 1999 was quite interesting. Tanduay joined the league and became an instant title contender with players like Eric Menk and Mark Telan. Big names like Asi Taulava and Danny Seigle came as direct hires, but the actual draft was anti-climactic. The infamous Sonny Alvarado was the obvious choice at number one, but from there it was anyone's guess. In the second round, though, it was Pop Cola that struck gold, nabbing Donbel Belano with the 14th pick.
Belano actually never played for Pop Cola and was in limbo for two years before signing with the Sta. Lucia Realtors in 2001. He won a championship in the Governor's Cup with the Realtors, behind the brilliant play of import Damien Owens and Finals MVP Gerard Francisco. But it was his stint with Talk 'N Text from 2002 to 2009 where he really shined. Majority of his time there, he played alongside and in support of star guard Jimmy Alapag, and the highlight was undoubtedly winning the 2003 All-Filipino Cup.
2000
Top overall pick (Sta. Lucia) - Paolo Mendoza, UP
Steal - Red Bull arrived at the scene, elevating key players Davonn Harp, Kerby Raymundo, Lordy Tugade and Junthy Valenzuela. Then there were more direct hires: Jayjay Helterbrand to Ginebra, Dondon Hontiveros to Tanduay, Dorian Peña to San Miguel, Mick Pennisi to Red Bull, and Rob Wainwright to Sta. Lucia. By the time the actual draft started, there were very few impact players left on the board. That left Paolo Mendoza as the right choice by the Realtors. He was the best player from that draft class. He enjoyed a 11-year career, winning the 2001 Governors' Cup championship along the way.
2001
Top overall pick (Red Bull)- Willie Miller, Letran
Steal (Sta. Lucia) - PJ Simon, University of Mindanao (5th round, 43rd overall)
PJ Simon is arguably the greatest PBA draft steal of all time if you just base on the mere fact that he was chosen in the 5th round and was still able to accomplish a lot in his career. Chosen as the 43rd pick despite making a mark in the MBA and PBL, Simon never played for Sta. Lucia, and instead went to Purefoods where he spent the entirety of his career.
Simon won eight titles with the franchise, and was a key contributor during the team's Grand Slam quest in 2014. He is an 8-time PBA All-Star, and was named the All-Star MVP in 2008. He was also named to the Mythical Team in 2014. Simon is set to play his final year in the PBA. His career is a shining example of why you should never judge a player by how low he was drafted.
2002
Top overall pick (FedEx Express) - Yancy De Ocampo, St. Francis
Steal (FedEx Express) - Renren Ritualo, De La Salle University (1st round, 8th overall)
It's shocking that Ritualo, who was one of the greatest shooters in the UAAP, fell to the 8th pick in the 2002 draft. Some of the players taken above Ritualo included Chris Calaguio, Homer Se, Migs Noble, and Eric Canlas.
Ritualo outplayed all of them, and was named the 2002 PBA Rookie of the Year. A season later, he was chosen as the 2003 Sixth Man of the Year. Some of his individual milestones include scoring 40 points in the semifinals of the 2006 PBA Fiesta Conference. He also nailed eight 3-pointers in a game twice in his career. "The Rainman" moved to Talk 'N Text in 2008, where he was finally able to win a championship the following year.
Ritualo ended his career as part of the PBA's 500 Three-Points Club. He was a two-time All-Star and the 2008 3-Point Shootout champion. Very few players were able to frighten opponents the way Ritualo did everytime he found a bit of space from beyond the arc.