JUSTINE Baltazar made his fellow Kapampangans proud after becoming the top pick in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft. But the 27-year-old star from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's Pampanga Giant Lanterns is not the ony player drafted from the province north of Metro Manila.
Six other players from Pampanga joined Baltazar as draft picks, making a strong case for the province as perhaps the most prolific source of talent for professional basketball.
Pampanga Gov. Delta Pineda reportedly was very proud of the new PBA recruits, particularly of Baltazar, taken first by the Converge FiberXers, who the official feels is a product of the province's vibrant sports program.
LOOK: Complete list of players selected in PBA Season 49 Draft
"Imagine mo, ilang Kapampangan ang nandito sa draft," said Pineda who also serves as FiberXers team consultant.
Baltazar, who was born in Mabalacat and has taken roots in Apalit, was the unquestioned headliner of the PBA draft as he made history for being the first top selection to come from the Manny Pacquiao-owned regional league where he was MVP last season and strong candidate to win it again this year.
However, the honor of being the first pick from the province does not belong to him, it belongs to Angeles City's Dennis Espino who was picked first by Sta. Lucia in the 1995 draft. Also picked first before him was Sasmuan's Japeth Aguilar by Burger King in 2009.
During Sunday's Draft at the Glorietta in Makati, La Salle forward Jonnel Policarpio, who was born in Arayat and lives in Macabebe, was picked 6th by NLEX.
Others who joined the PBA ranks from Pampanga were National University forward Mike Malonzo, from Guagua, chosen by Rain or Shine (No. 16), Fil-Canadian banger Brando Ramirez, whose family is from Lubao, picked by NLEX (No. 18), Mabalacat's Ronan Santos (No. 26, Converge) and Xyrus Torres of Sto. Tomas (No. 30, NLEX).
If ever there was something like a draft sweep, this was it as all applicants from the province were picked.
"Masaya po na nakikita ko na walang naiwan na Kapampangan ngayon. Nakuha po lahat. From first to third round, nandyan na lahat ng mga Kapampangan," said Pineda.
One can also add Letran guard Kurt Reyson, born in Negros Occidental but plays for Pineda's Giant Lanterns, who was taken 23rd overall in the second round.
Kapampangan pride
"Masayang-masaya ako kasi kahit hindi ko man alaga yung iba, nakita mo na yung mga teams from PBA ay may tiwala sa mga Kapampangan," he said.
Pineda likely knows whereof he speaks. Currently making a splash in the PBA are stars like Aguilar, Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Javee Mocon while past greats include, besides Espino, Arwind Santos, Vince Hizon, and Ato Agustin.
One can also add that one of the PBA's most revered coaches is from Pampanga -- Yeng Guiao of Rain or Shine.
Then there's NBA star Jordan Clarkson who is deemed to have Kapampangan lineage with his grandmother from his mother's side hailing from Bacolor.
Pineda said his program of finding and developing talent will continue.
"Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa rin na magtulungan kami ng mga Kapampangan na mag-develop ng mga players," he said.
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