The 1996 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie draft was an event at which teams drafted players from the amateur ranks. The annual rookie draft was held on January 21 at the New World Hotel in Makati. It was the last draft held in a hotel, as the draft venues were held inside shopping malls.

Round 1

PickPlayerCountry of origin*PBA teamCollege
1Marlou AquinoPhilippinesGinebra San MiguelAdamson
2Rodney SantosPhilippinesPurefoods TJ HotdogsSan Sebastian
3Reuben Dela RosaPhilippinesPurefoods TJ Hotdogs (from Shell)Mapua
4Arnold GamboaPhilippinesSta. Lucia RealtorsUE
5Marcelino MorelosPhilippinesSan Miguel BeermenUE
6Gilbert CastilloPhilippinesSan Miguel BeermenLetran
7Peter MartinPhilippinesPepsi MegaSan Sebastian
8Joselito Rodriguez IIPhilippinesSunkist Orange JuicersUNO-R Bacolod

Round 2

PickPlayerCountry of origin*PBA teamCollege
9Richard del RosarioPhilippinesPurefoods TJ HotdogsDe La Salle
10Patrick FranPhilippinesPurefoods TJ HotdogsUST
11Rommel SantosUnited StatesFormula Shell Zoom MastersCollege of Staten Island
12Leonard ReyesUnited StatesPurefoods TJ HotdogsSusquehanna University
13Roel BravoPhilippinesSan Miguel BeermenManila

Round 3

PickPlayerCountry of origin*PBA teamCollege
14Gerardo LocsinPhilippinesGinebra San Miguel
15Richard SuperalPhilippinesPepsi MegaSaint La Salle

Round 4

PickPlayerCountry of origin*PBA teamCollege
16Ruel CulalaPhilippinesPepsi MegaUE

Round 5

PickPlayerCountry of origin*PBA teamCollege
17Segundo "Bong" Dela Cruz IIIPhilippinesPepsi MegaAdamson

Undrafted players

Draftee's name followed by college. All undrafted players become rookie free agents.