DO you know that 28 provinces in the Philippines have more than one active PBA player this season?
Some provinces have it more than the others, however, and SPIN.ph is here to list down the places with the most number of players on the active roster in the milestone 50th season of Asia's first play-for-pay league.
NOTE: The players who made this list are those who were included on official team rosters or were lined up in PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup
1. Pampanga - 28 players
To no one's surprise, one of the country's basketball hotbeds produced the most active PBA players.
Kabalens have been well-represented in the pro league for much of this PBA generation with Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar of Sasmuan and TNT's Jayson Castro of Guagua bannering the delegation.
Now, one team in Converge, who by the way is coached by the province's own vice-governor, Dennis 'Delta' Pineda, has eight players in its roster hailing from Pampanga led by Mabalacat's Justine Baltazar and Angeles City's Calvin Abueva.
NLEX, likewise, has five Kapampangans in its roster, among them being Santo Tomas' Xyrus Torres and Santa Rita's Anthony Semerad.
Even Fil-Ams like Ginebra's Stephen Holt (Angeles City), Blackwater's Christian David (San Fernando City), and Titan Ultra's Joshua Munzon (Bacolor) trace their roots to the Culinary Capital of the Philippines.
Additionally, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao is from Magalang while Pineda, incidentally a former governor of the province and credited for the rise of some of its best players, is from Lubao town.
Here's the complete list:
Stephen Holt - Angeles City, Pampanga
Jayson David - Mabalacat, Pampanga
Japeth Aguilar - Sasmuan, Pampanga
Richard Escoto - Angeles City, Pampanga
Christian David - San Fernando, Pampanga
Archie Concepcion - Mexico, Pampanga
Calvin Abueva - Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga
John Lloyd Clemente - Apalit, Pampanga
MJ Garcia - Angeles City, Pampanga
Jonnel Policarpio - Macabebe, Pampanga
Justine Baltazar - Mabalacat, Pampanga
Larry Muyang - Santa Ana, Pampanga
Ronan Santos - Mabalacat, Pampanga
Ian Sangalang - Lubao, Pampanga
Russel Escoto - Angeles City, Pampanga
Javee Mocon - Guagua, Pampanga
Michael Miranda - Sta. Ana, Pampanga
Brandon Ramirez - Lubao, Pampanga
Lorenz Capulong - Apalit, Pampanga
Tony Semerad - Santa Rita, Pampanga
Xyrus Torres - Santo Tomas, Pampanga
Bryan Santos - San Luis, Pampanga
Mike Malonzo - Mexico, Pampanga
Joshua David - Angeles City, Pampanga
Jun Roque - Lubao, Pampanga
Chris Miller - Angeles City, Pampanga
Joshua Munzon - Bacolor, Pampanga
Jayson Castro - Guagua, Pampanga
2. Cebu - 15 players
The Queen City of the South will not be outdone.
With nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo its most prominent son, Cebuanos are still among the most in the league.
But it's no longer the Beermen who have the most number of Cebuano players, and rather, the Tropang Giga with four led by Talisay City's RR Pogoy.
Take a look:
Clifford Jopia - Cebu
Raymar Jose - Cebu
Kyle Pascual - Cebu City
Robbie Herndon - Cebu
JB Bahio - Lapu-Lapu City
Dave Ando - San Remigio, Cebu
Caelan Tiongson - Cebu
Leonard Santillan - Lapu-Lapu City
June Mar Fajardo - Pinamungahan, Cebu
Royce Mantua - Cebu
CJ Catapusan - Mandaue City
Simon Enciso - Cebu
RR Pogoy - Talisay City, Cebu
Kelly Williams - Cebu
Sean Quitevis - Cebu City
3. Pangasinan - 11 players
Pangasinan has also been one of the constant producers of basketball talents and it's really felt in the league.
San Miguel's CJ Perez of Bautista is easily the biggest name among the Pangasinenses, but there are also emerging talents in Magnolia's Zavier Lucero of San Carlos and brothers Jerrick and Maverick Ahanmisi of Alcala.
The others are:
Kemark Carino - Mangatarem, Pangasinan
Mike DiGregorio - Malasiqui, Pangasinan
BJ Andrade - Urdaneta, Pangasinan
Zavier Lucero - San Carlos, Pangasinan
Jason Brickman - Pangasinan
Enoch Valdez - Mangatarem, Pangasinan
Jason Perkins - Pangasinan
CJ Perez - Bautista, Pangasinan
Jerick Ahanmisi - Alcala, Pangasinan
Maverick Ahanmisi - Alcala, Pangasinan
Tyrus Hill - Pangasinan
Tied-4. Cavite - 6 players
Caviteños are known to be feisty and they don't disappoint in the PBA.
Just look at Meralco's Cliff Hodge of Cavite City and NLEX's Sidney Onwubere of Imus who carry the Cavite pride on their chests every single game.
Cliff Hodge - Cavite City
Vince Magbuhos - Cavite
Sidney Onwubere - Imus, Cavite
JL Delos Santos - Dasmarinas City, Cavite
Luis Villegas - Cavite City
Kim Aurin - Bacoor City, Cavite
Tied-4. Laguna - 6 players
Laguna also contributed a strong delegation to the list.
San Miguel's Don Trollano of Calamba is the most notable of the bunch.
Abu Tratter - Siniloan, Laguna
David Murrell - Pakil, Laguna
CJ Austria - Cabuyao, Laguna
Don Trollano - Calamba, Laguna
Mark Sangco - Santa Rosa, Laguna
Kevin Ferrer - Paete, Laguna
Tied-4. Batangas - 6 players
Batangueños aren't willing to fall behind and it's evident with the players they have in the league.
Magnolia playing-coach LA Tenorio is from Nasugbu, Rain or Shine guard Gian Mamuyac is from Batangas City, and Blackwater rookie Dalph Panopio is from Mabini, showing the talent-laden pool that the province possesses.
Sedrick Barefield - Batangas
Dalph Panopio - Mabini, Batangas
LA Tenorio - Nasugbu, Batangas
Gab Gomez - Nasugbu, Batangas
Gian Mamuyac - Batangas City
Juami Tiongson - Ibaan, Batangas
Tied-4. Rizal - 6 players
Rizal has been one of the PBA's homes for quite a while, with the Ynares Centers in Antipolo and Montalban among the frequent venues of league games.
It's only a given that it also produces a number of talent, among them the Nieto twins Matt of NLEX and Mike of TNT both, of course, coming from Cainta.
Ichie Altamirano - Antipolo City
Ladis Lepalam - Antipolo City
Matt Nieto - Cainta, Rizal
Mike Nieto - Cainta, Rizal
Avan Nava - Antipolo City
Joe Celzo - Taytay, Rizal
Tied-4. Iloilo - 6 players
The second Visayan province on this list, Iloilo has also proven to be a strong producer of talent. NLEX's Kevin Alas and San Miguel's Jericho Cruz hold the torch for the province's proud products.
Paul Zamar - Iloilo
Paolo Taha - Iloilo
Anjo Caram - Iloilo
Kevin Alas - Iloilo
Jericho Cruz - Iloilo
Bryan Sajonia - Pavia, Iloilo
Tied-9. Bulacan - 5 players
Norbert Torres - Calumpit, Bulacan
Yukien Andrada - Malolos, Bulacan
Dominick Fajardo - Malolos, Bulacan
JM Bravo San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
Aris Dionisio Bustos, Bulacan
Tied-9. Bataan - 5 players
Bradwyn Guinto - Orani, Bataan
Jed Mendoza - Balanga, Bataan
Raymond Almazan - Orani, Bataan
Matthew Daves - Bataan
Louie Sangalang - Orani, Bataan
Tied-11. Ilocos Norte - 4 players
Chris Newsome - Piddig, Ilocos Norte
Kai Ballunggay - Ilocos Norte
Pao Javillonar - Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Henry Galinato Jr. - Ilocos Norte
Tied-11. La Union - 4 players
Jhaymo Eguilos - Agoo, La Union
Tyler Tio - San Fernando, La Union
Kenneth Tuffin - Rosario, La Union
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser - San Fernando, La Union
Tied-11. Cagayan - 4 players
Troy Rosario - Amulung, Cagayan
Stanley Pringle - Cagayan Valley
Mark Omega - Sicalao, Lasam, Cagayan Valley
Mario Barasi - Lal-Lo, Cagayan
Tied-11. Tarlac - 4 players
Will Gozum - Concepcion, Tarlac
JM Calma - Capas, Tarlac
Ato Ular - Tarlac City
King Caralipio - Moncada, Tarlac
Tied-11. Negros Oriental - 4 players
Alec Stockton - Dauin, Negros Oriental
Jerom Lastimosa - Dumaguete City
Cade Flores - Bayawan, Negros Oriental
Calvin Oftana - Siaton, Negros Oriental
Tied-16. Isabela - 3 players
Chris Banchero - Isabela
Ljay Gonzales - San Mateo, Isabela
Ricci Rivero - Ilagan, Isabela
Tied-16. Quezon - 3 players
Andrei Caracut - Lucban, Quezon
Joseph Eriobu - Pagbilao, Quezon
Von Pessumal - Lucena, Quezon
Tied-16. Camarines Sur - 3 players
RJ Abarrientos - Naga City
Ximone Sandagon - Cabusao, Camarines Sur
Mikey Williams - Naga City
Tied-16. Aklan - 3 players
Kris Rosales - Ibajay, Aklan
Andreas Cahilig - Malay, Aklan
Keith Zaldivar - Aklan
Tied-16. Negros Occidental - 3 players
Mark Nonoy - La Carlota, Negros Occidental
Paul Varilla - Bacolod City
Justin Chua - Bacolod City
Tied-16. Zamboanga City - 3 players
Mark Barroca - Zamboanga City
Peter Alfaro - Zamboanga City
Didat Hanapi - Zamboanga City
Tied-16. Cagayan de Oro City - 3 players
Poy Erram - Cagayan de Oro City
Glenn Khobuntin - Cagayan de Oro City
Jio Jalalon - Cagayan de Oro City
Tied-16. Davao City - 3 players
Baser Amer - Davao City
Francis Escandor - Davao City
Jeo Ambohot - Davao City
Tied-24. Tuguegarao City - 2 players
Troy Mallillin - Tuguegarao City
Damie Cuntapay - Tuguegarao City
Tied-24. Zambales - 2 players
Rome Dela Rosa - Olongapo City
Schonny Winston - Olongapo City
Tied-24. Albay - 2 players
Rodney Brondial - Tabaco, Albay
Ben Adamos - Bakakay, Albay
Tied-24. Leyte - 2 players
Robert Bolick - Ormoc City
Chris Ross - La Paz, Leyte
Tied-24. Davao de Oro - 2 players
John Pinto - Magsaysay, Davao de Oro
Jhonard Clarito - Magsaysay, Davao De Oro
Other provinces, though, only have one PBA player.
Ilocos Sur
Marcio Lassiter - Santiago, Ilocos Sur
Mindoro Oriental
Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti - Victoria, Oriental Mindoro
Romblon
Jansen Rios - Romblon
Palawan
Ira Bataller - Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Camarines Norte
Justin Arana - Basud, Camarines Norte
Sorsogon
Beau Belga - Gubat, Sorsogon
Capiz
Christian Manaytay - Roxas City, Capiz
Northern Samar
Richie Rodger - Laoang, Northern Samar
Bukidnon
Aljun Melecio - Valencia City, Bukidnon
Misamis Occidental
Tony Ynot - Baliangao, Misamis Occidental
Misamis Oriental
Rey Nambatac - Opol, Misamis Oriental
Davao Occidental
Kurt Reyson - Malita, Davao Occidental
Davao del Sur
Scottie Thompson - Digos City
Cotabato
Deo Cuajao - Midsayap, North Cotabato
Agusan del Sur
Sonny Estil - San Luis, Agusan del Sur
Additionally, 40 active PBA players hail from Metro Manila.
Here's the breakdown of players per city in the National Capital Region.
1. Quezon City - 12 players
Ralph Cu
Chris Koon
Raffy Verano
Aaron Black
Bong Quinto
Jeff Comia
Prince Caperal
Jeron Teng
Paul Garcia
Geo Chiu
Paolo Hernandez
James Martinez
2. Manila - 7 players
Shawn Umali
Jerrick Balanza
Fran Yu
RK Ilagan
Paul Lee
Adrian Nocum
Jordan Heading
Tied-3. Caloocan City - 4 players
James Una
James Laput
Arvin Gamboa
Anton Asistio
Tied-3. Muntinlupa City - 4 players
John Abis
Kevin Racal
Evan Nelle
Brent Paraiso
Tied-3. Pasig City - 4 players
Isaac Go
Brandon Bates
Keith Datu
Aljon Mariano
6. Mandaluyong City - 3 players
Juan Gomez de Liaño
Javi Gomez de Liaño
Dave Marcelo
Las Piñas City
Jeremiah Gray
Makati City
Allein Maliksi
Marikina City
Raymond Aguilar
San Juan City
Jack Cruz-Dumont
Taguig City
Mo Tautuaa
Valenzuela City
CJ Cansino
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