EVERYBODY loves winners, including PBA teams.
The high rate of Far Eastern University and National University players getting selected in the 2016 PBA Draft serves proof.
FEU and NU have had great success in the past four UAAP seasons, winning the last two titles and contending in the Final Four in that span. And while college powerhouses like Ateneo, San Beda, and La Salle maintained their title contender status, the surprising rise of FEU and NU have had PBA teams taking notice—with almost half of the selected players from this year’s batch coming from the two schools.
Out of the 13 selected players from FEU and NU, 10 cracked the rosters of their respective PBA teams, shaking up the leaderboard of the schools with the most number of active players in the pro league. Ateneo actually increased its number from last year’s tally to remain on top, but FEU overtook La Salle for second place after adding five former Tams (four from their title-winning core last year) to their total.
The Archers suffered the most, losing seven from their number last season and adding just one through the draft in Arnold Van Opstal. La Salle fell from second to a tie at fourth place with NU, who also added five former Bulldogs to the pros. San Beda jumped one spot to third as they maintained the same number from last year.
[See Ateneo, La Salle neck and neck for most number of former players in PBA]
Another success story is Arellano University, who cracked the top 10 for the first time, at 10th place with six alums. San Sebastian and Jose Rizal University barely missed the cut with five former players now in the PBA. The addition of Star rookie Jio Jalalon, who led the Chiefs to the finals in NCAA Season 92, sealed Arellano’s entry.
Here’s the list of the top 10 schools with the most number of PBA players this season:
1. Ateneo (18): Noy Baclao, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Von Pessumal, Chris Newsome, Justin Chua, Enrico Villanueva, Emman Monfort, Fonso Gotladera, JC Intal, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Doug Kramer, Chris Tiu, Larry Fonacier, Frank Golla, JP Erram, Nico Salva
2. FEU (16): Russel Escoto, Jonas Villanueva, Mac Baracael, Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos, Mike Tolomia, Jeff Chan, RR Garcia, Arwind Santos, Roger Pogoy, Ping Exciminiano, Carl Bryan Cruz, Mac Belo, Denok Miranda, Reil Cervantes, Terrence Romeo
3. San Beda (12): Jake Pascual, David Semerad, Rome Dela Rosa, Jaypee Mendoza, Dave Marcelo, Art Dela Cruz, Kyle Pascual, Riego Gamalinda, Anthony Semerad, Baser Amer, Anjo Caram, Garvo Lanete
4. NU (10): Jewel Ponferada, Troy Rosario, Marion Magat, Tristan Perez, Raymond Aguilar, Denice Villamor, Reden Celda, Glenn Khobuntin, Gelo Alolino, Jeff Javillonar
La Salle (10): Arnold Van Opstal, JVee Casio, Mike Cortez, Papot Paredes, Rico Maierhofer, LA Revilla, Ryan Arana, Joseph Yeo, Norbert Torres, Willy Wilson
6. UE (8): Paul Lee, Chris Javier, James Yap, Ronald Tubid, KG Canaleta, Roi Sumang, Pedrito Galanza, Mark Borboran
7. Letran (7): Raymond Almazan, Aaron Aban, RJ Jazul, Kevin Racal, Rey Guevarra, Bryan Faundo, Kevin Alas
Adamson (7): Ken Bono, Eric Camson, Jansen Rios, Rodney Brondial, Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, Alex Nuyles
UST (7): Jervy Cruz, Aljon Mariano, Kevin Ferrer, Cyrus Baguio, Allein Maliksi, Dylan Ababou, Ed Daquioag
10. Arellano (6): Jio Jalalon, Keith Agovida, James Forrester, Nard Pinto, Prince Caperal, Levi Hernandez
As for other schools outside of the Top 10, Benilde made inroads with two rookies in this year’s draft making the PBA active roster. University of Cebu and St. Francis of Assisi lead schools outside the UAAP and NCAA with the most number of players in the league with three each.
Here’s the breakdown:
San Sebastian (5): Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, Jason Ballesteros, Bradwyn Guinto, Michael Miranda
JRU (5): James Sena, Jeckster Apinan, Philip Paniamogan, John Wilson, Marvin Hayes
Benilde (4): Paolo Taha, Jericho De Guzman, Jonathan Grey, Carlo Lastimosa
University of Cebu (3): June Mar Fajardo, Dondon Hontiveros, Brian Heruela
St. Francis of Assisi (3): Ranidel De Ocampo, Yancy De Ocampo, Jason Melano
PCU (3): Beau Belga, Gabby Espinas, Jayson Castro
UP (3): Raoul Soyud, Jay R Reyes, Jireh Ibanes
Mapua (3): Jessie Saitanan, Josan Nimes, Joseph Eriobu,
University of the Visayas (2): Greg Slaughter, JR Quinahan
University of Manila (2): Reynel Hugnatan, Ronnie Matias
PSBA (2): Vic Manuel, Marc Pingris
Perpetual (1): Scottie Thompson
EAC (1): Ronjay Buenafe
Lyceum (1): Chico Lanete
St. Clare (1): Jammer Jamito
SSC-R Cavite (1): Mark Yee
CEU (1): Samboy De Leon
Notre Dame of Dadiangas (1): Manny Pacquiao
University of Mindanao (1): PJ Simon
[See Which among the UAAP, NCAA, overseas schools has produced most PBA players]
Players who played college basketball overseas also increasedr, with Hope International University joining Marshall University and Cal State Fullerton with two players each. Here’s the list:
Marshall (2): Chris Ross, Chris Lutz
Cal State Fullerton (2): Ryan Reyes, Marcio Lassiter
Hope International University (2): Kris Rosales, Ael Banal
Seattle Pacific University (1): Chris Banchero
James Cook University (1): Sonny Thoss
John Brown University (1): Abel Galliguez
UC-Irvine (1): Tony Dela Cruz
Biola University (1): Sol Mercado
Kentucky State University (1): Jayjay Helterbrand
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (1): Chris Ellis
UTEP (1): Joe Devance
Glendale (1): Mark Caguioa
Bakersfield College (1): Billy Mamaril
Penn State (1): Stanley Pringle
Waldorf University (1): Karl Dehesa
Eastern Michigan (1): Mick Pennisi
McKendree University (1): Michael DiGregorio
Lewis-Clark State College (1): Alex Mallari
San Diego State (1): Jason Deutchman
Reedley (1): Cliff Hodge
Golden West (1): Jonathan Uyloan
University of Hawaii (1): Jared Dillinger
SRJC (1): Kelly Nabong
BYU-Hawaii (1): Asi Taulava
McGill University (1): Sean Anthony
NDNU (1): Simon Enciso
St. Bonaventure University (1): Matthew Wright
University of Mount Olive (1): Justin Melton
Maryland (1): Rafi Reavis
George Mason (1): Gabe Norwood
University of Minnesota (1): Maverick Ahanmisi
Eckerd (1): Jay Washington
Hawaii-Hilo (1): Alex Cabagnot
Old Westbury (1): Rashawn McCarthy
Sonoma State (1): Harvey Carey
Claremont High School (1): Mo Tautuaa
Oakland University (1): Kelly Williams
Cal Poly Pomona (1): Matt Ganuelas-Rosser
Wagner (1): Danny Seigle
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