Will this year’s PBA rookies eclipse the ’89 draft?

By sheer number and depth of available talent, the 2021 PBA Draft is fast shaping up rivaling the 1989 rookie draft. That legendary draft bore the league’s only rookie-MVP, Venancio “Benjie” Paras. For millennials out there more familiar with his work as a comedian, the 6’4” Benjie was the real deal coming out of the University of the Philippines and was rightfully picked No. 1 overall.

The father of current UP Fighting Maroons star swingman Kobe, Benjie was the Philippines’ version of Shaquille O’Neal when he first suited up for Shell as he dunked with aplomb every chance he got. The “Tower of Power” eventually carved out a 14-year PBA career winning four championships and numerous individual accolades, including a second MVP in 1999, the season he also won PBA Comeback Player of the Year.