Will Allyn Bulanadi Make the Cut in the PBA Draft This Season?

I've been following the PBA draft landscape for over a decade now, and this year's conversation keeps circling back to one particularly intriguing name - Allyn Bulanadi. The former San Sebastian star has been floating in that uncertain space between undeniable talent and professional readiness, and with TNT's recent injury crisis creating potential roster openings, his draft prospects have become genuinely fascinating to analyze.

Let me be honest - I've always been partial to players who come from the NCAA system. There's something about the grind of that league that prepares athletes differently. Bulanadi's college career showed flashes of brilliance that made scouts take notice, but the transition to professional basketball is never guaranteed. I remember watching him drop 31 points against CSB back in 2019 and thinking this kid had PBA potential written all over him. His scoring ability isn't just good - it's PBA-ready. But as we've seen time and again, scoring alone doesn't secure a roster spot.

The injury situation at TNT has created what I'd call a perfect storm of opportunity. When Jayson Castro went down with that patellar tendon injury during the Commissioner's Cup last February, it wasn't just about losing one player - it created a cascade effect that reshaped their entire roster strategy. Castro's absence left them needing to fill approximately 28 minutes per game and 15 points of production that suddenly vanished from their backcourt rotation. Teams don't just absorb that kind of loss without making adjustments.

What makes Bulanadi's case particularly interesting is timing. TNT has been carrying what I'd estimate to be about three roster spots that could use reinforcement, especially with their recent struggles to maintain backcourt depth. From my conversations with team insiders, they're looking at both immediate contributors and developmental prospects. Bulanadi fits somewhere in between - he's not quite the finished product that can step in and replace Castro's production, but he's far from a raw project either.

I've always believed that draft decisions come down to fit more than pure talent. Looking at TNT's current composition, they need players who can create their own shot while also fitting into their motion offense system. Bulanadi's college tape shows he can thrive in both isolation situations and off-ball movements - that versatility could be exactly what makes him attractive to their coaching staff. His defensive metrics need work, sure, but I've seen worse defenders develop into competent professionals with the right coaching.

The numbers from his MPBL stint with Basilan tell an interesting story - he averaged around 16 points per game while shooting 38% from three-point range in their last conference. Those aren't superstar numbers, but they demonstrate professional readiness. What impressed me more was his improved assist numbers, suggesting he's working on becoming more than just a scorer. In today's PBA, being one-dimensional just doesn't cut it anymore.

Here's where I might diverge from conventional analysis - I think Bulanadi's chances are better than most mock drafts suggest. The conventional wisdom has him going late second round or possibly undrafted, but I've got a feeling teams are underestimating how his specific skill set fits current PBA needs. The league's shift toward more perimeter-oriented basketball plays directly into his strengths. His ability to space the floor while maintaining secondary playmaking capacity is exactly what modern PBA offenses crave.

That said, I've been burned before by falling in love with college stars who never quite transition. The jump to PBA competition is massive - the physicality, the speed, the defensive schemes are all significant steps up from what most players experience in college or semi-pro leagues. Bulanadi will need to show he can handle the defensive assignments and maintain his efficiency against longer, more athletic defenders.

The financial aspect can't be ignored either. With the PBA's salary structure, second-round picks and undrafted players typically sign for the league minimum, which currently sits at ₱150,000 per month. For teams like TNT managing their budget while dealing with injury-related roster moves, finding value in the draft becomes crucial. Bulanadi represents potential high reward for relatively low financial risk.

From what I've gathered talking to team personnel, the consensus seems to be that Bulanadi needs to demonstrate he can be more consistent. His scoring outbursts are impressive, but PBA teams need reliability night in and night out. I recall one scout telling me they'd rather have a player who gives them 12 solid points every game than someone who drops 30 one night and 5 the next. That consistency question is probably the biggest hurdle in Bulanadi's path to making a roster.

What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the mental aspect. Making the jump to professional basketball requires tremendous psychological adjustment. The pressure, the travel, the media scrutiny - it tests players in ways they've never experienced. Having watched Bulanadi through his college career and following his development since, I believe he has the mental toughness to handle the transition. His response to adversity during San Sebastian's tougher seasons showed resilience that should serve him well.

The draft is always part talent evaluation, part timing, and part luck. With TNT's specific needs created by their injury situation, and with the PBA's evolving style of play, Bulanadi finds himself in a surprisingly favorable position. He's not a sure thing - no late-round prospect ever is - but the stars seem to be aligning in a way that gives him a legitimate shot.

My prediction? I think he gets drafted in the third round, probably around pick 25-28, and earns a roster spot through strong preseason performance. He's got the tools to contribute 8-10 minutes per game initially, with potential to grow into a more significant role as he adjusts to the professional level. It won't be easy, and nothing is guaranteed, but I like his chances better than most analysts seem to. The PBA draft has always been full of surprises, and this year, Allyn Bulanadi might just be one of the pleasant ones.