Who Did Ginebra Pick in the 2019 PBA Draft? Full Results Revealed

I remember sitting in front of my television that December evening in 2019, notebook in hand, tracking every pick as the PBA Draft unfolded. As a longtime Barangay Ginebra fan and basketball analyst, I've always found draft nights particularly fascinating - they're where franchises build their futures, and Ginebra's 2019 selections would prove especially interesting given their specific needs at the time. The atmosphere was electric at Robinson's Place Manila, with fans buzzing about potential picks and team strategies. What made this draft particularly compelling was how Ginebra approached their selections with both immediate needs and long-term development in mind.

Let me walk you through exactly who Ginebra picked that night, because their strategy revealed quite a bit about where they saw their roster gaps. With their first-round pick at 12th overall, they selected Arvin Tolentino from Far Eastern University - a move that surprised some analysts but made perfect sense to those who'd followed Tolentino's collegiate career. I'd watched Tolentino develop over his UAAP years, and what impressed me most was his versatility at 6'5" - he could stretch the floor with his shooting while having enough size to defend multiple positions. In the second round, with the 17th overall pick, they grabbed Kent Salado from Arellano University, a speedy guard who'd shown flashes of brilliance in the NCAA. Their final selection came deep in the third round at 32nd overall, where they picked Allen Enriquez from University of the Visayas. This balanced approach - addressing both frontcourt and backcourt needs - showed Ginebra's methodical approach to roster construction.

Now, speaking of Tolentino's FEU background, that reference knowledge about the Tamaraws' performance provides important context that many casual fans might miss. The Tamaraws had dropped three of their last four games to exit with that 3-3 slate in what was admittedly a disappointing finish to their season. But here's what impressed me about Tolentino's situation - even as his team struggled down the stretch, he maintained his professional approach and development. Meanwhile, his FEU teammate Jorick Bautista showed the way for them with 23 points in what I believe was their final game, while Mo Konateh posted that impressive 19-marker, 16-rebound double-double. These performances from Tolentino's teammates actually highlighted why Ginebra valued him - he was part of a competitive system that produced professional-ready players.

What's fascinating about draft analysis is recognizing how college performances translate to the professional level. I've always believed that statistics from collegiate careers only tell part of the story - it's the intangibles that often determine PBA success. With Tolentino, Ginebra wasn't just getting a player who put up decent numbers in college; they were getting someone who understood team dynamics from playing in a competitive UAAP program. The fact that FEU, despite their late-season struggles, produced professional-caliber players speaks volumes about their program's quality. I've followed numerous drafts over the years, and teams that prioritize players from strong collegiate programs tend to make smarter long-term picks.

Looking back at these picks with the benefit of hindsight, Ginebra's decision to select Tolentino has proven quite savvy. He's developed into a reliable rotation player who understands his role perfectly - something that's crucial in coach Tim Cone's system. Salado's journey has been more challenging, as is often the case with second-round picks transitioning to the PBA's physical style, but he's shown flashes of the quickness that made him attractive in that 2019 draft. Enriquez, like many third-round selections, faced an uphill battle for roster security but represented the type of low-risk, high-reward pick that smart franchises regularly take chances on.

The 2019 draft class overall has produced several solid professionals, but I'd argue Ginebra extracted particularly good value from their positions. What I appreciate about their approach was how they balanced immediate needs with developmental prospects. Tolentino could contribute relatively quickly given his UAAP pedigree and physical readiness, while Salado represented more of a project with his explosive athleticism. This dual approach demonstrates how championship organizations think - they're not just drafting for today, but for seasons down the road.

From my perspective as both an analyst and fan, successful draft strategies involve understanding not just what a player accomplished in college, but how their skills will translate to specific team systems. Ginebra's system under Coach Cone requires specific types of players - those who understand spacing, defensive rotations, and team concepts. The fact that Tolentino came from FEU's program, which emphasizes fundamental basketball, made his adjustment considerably smoother than it might have been for players from less structured systems.

Reflecting on that 2019 draft night, what stands out most is how Ginebra identified players who fit their culture while addressing roster needs. In Tolentino, they got a versatile forward who could develop behind their established stars. With Salado, they added backcourt depth with upside. And with Enriquez, they took a calculated flyer on a prospect with intriguing physical tools. This multi-layered approach to roster building is why Ginebra consistently remains competitive year after year. The draft represents just one piece of team construction, but when executed with this type of strategic clarity, it can yield dividends that help sustain championship aspirations for years to come.