PBA players have the fame and money, and enjoy the finer things in life, but there’s one thing they all do when they get their time with the mic at the end of games: They never forget to look back on their roots and greet people back from their hometowns.
Such a simple act gives enormous pride and joy to sports fans, especially those from the same city, town, even those within the same province. That for a moment there’s that treasured affinity, and can even spark a dream for younger enthusiasts to follow the path of their hometown heroes.
SPIN.ph did a census of sorts from the opening-day rosters for the PBA Philippine Cup, and three familiar provinces: one from North Luzon and two from Visayas have emerged at the top of the list of basketball hotbeds outside Metro Manila.
Pampanga, where Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Arwind Santos, and Japeth Aguilar, among others, were born, owns the most players with 11.
Three-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Dondon Hontiveros, and JR Quiñahan are proud sons of Cebu, which has the second most number with eight, one more than Negros Occidental, home of James Yap and Jeff Chan, to name a few.
[See Ateneo still has most number of players on PBA active list, but two schools are closing in]
Davao del Sur and Cagayan de Oro, boasting two young standout playmakers in Scottie Thompson and Jio Jalalon, respectively, are tied for fourth with five representatives apiece.
Cavite, Tarlac, and Iloilo have four each, while Albay, Bulacan, Olongapo, Pangasinan, and Zamboanga have three each. Two players each are proud to be from Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Ormoc, Iligan, Bataan, Cotabato, Quezon, and Laguna.
In the metropolis, Manila still has the most representatives overall with 14, including two from Tondo, while Quezon City is next with eight cagers.
Outside the country, California has the most representatives with 22, followed by Canada with four, and Australia with three players.
So which players are from you hometown? Here’s the breakdown.

Pampanga - 11
Jayson Castro
Calvin Abueva
Arwind Santos
Japeth Aguilar
Ian Sangalang
Russel Escoto
Justin Melton
Michael Miranda
Dexter Maiquez
Levi Hernandez
Tristan Perez

Cebu - 8
June Mar Fajardo
Dondon Hontiveros
JR Quiñahan
Aldrech Ramos
Brian Heruela
Roger Pogoy
Jason Melano
Oping Sumalinog

Negros Occidental - 7
James Yap
Jeff Chan
Noy Baclao
LA Revilla
Mark Yee
Reynel Hugnatan
Raul Soyud

Cagayan de Oro - 5
Carlo Lastimosa
Jio Jalalon
Glenn Khobuntin
Aaron Aban
Philip Paniamogan

Davao del Sur - 5
Scottie Thompson
Baser Amer
John Pinto
Reden Celda
John Ferriols
Tarlac - 4
Niño Canaleta
Jake Pascual
Jaypee Mendoza
Jericho de Guzman
Iloilo – 4
Ronald Tubid
Anjo Caram
Ken Bono
Emman Monfort

Cavite - 4
Terrence Romeo
Ranidel de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Jessie Saitanan
Albay - 3
Mark Borboran
Jay-R Reyes
Alex Nuyles
Bulacan - 3
Art dela Cruz
Billy Mamaril
Jonas Villanueva
Olongapo - 3
Gabby Espinas
Ping Exciminiano
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser
Pangasinan - 3
Marc Pingris
Jason Ballesteros
Bryan Faundo
Marion Magat
Zamboanga - 3
RR Garcia
Mark Barroca
Mike Tolomia
Laoag -3
Jeoffrey Javillonar
Isabela
Bong Galanza
Nueva Ecija - 2
Vic Manuel
Samboy de Leon
Batangas - 2
LA Tenorio
Eric Camson
Leyte - 3
Chico Lanete
Garvo Lanete
Dylan Ababou
Iligan - 2
Cyrus Baguio
Bambam Gamalinda
Bataan - 2
Raymond Almazan
Bradwyn Guinto
Cotabato - 2
Mac Belo
PJ Simon
Quezon - 2
Denok Miranda
Mac Baracael
Laguna - 2
Dennice Villamor
Chris Javier
Cagayan Valley
Troy Rosario
Catanduanes
Reil Cervantes
Aurora
Keith Agovida
Baguio
Doug Kramer
Catanduanes
Don Trollano
Ilocos Norte
Ed Daquioag
La Union
James Sena
Romblon
Jansen Rios
Bukidnon
Papot Paredes
Camarines Norte
Jammer Jamito
Sorsogon
Beau Belga
Zambales
Jay Washington
Palawan
Jireh Ibanes
Roxas, Capiz
Jeckster Apinan
Samar
Jewel Ponferrada
Rizal
John Wilson
General Santos
Manny Pacquiao
NCR

Manila - 14
Jayjay Helterbrand
Joseph Yeo
Jonathan Grey
JC Intal
Allein Maliksi
Ronnie Matias
Carl Bryan Cruz
Dave Marcelo
Raymond Aguilar
Von Pessumal
Jonathan Uyloan
Justin Chua
Paul Lee
Ryan Araña
Quezon City - 8
Larry Fonacier
Jervy Cruz
Ronjay Buenafe
Josan Nimes
Rodney Brondial
Marvin Hayes
Prince Caperal
Frank Golla
Pasay - 3
RJ Jazul
Rico Maierhofer
Rico Villanueva
Makati - 3
Jvee Casio
Kevin Ferrer
JP Erram
Mandaluyong -3
Ael Banal
Kevin Racal
Aljon Mariano
Las Piñas -2
Kevin Alas
Gelo Alolino
San Juan - 2
Chris Tiu
Fonzo Gotladera
Paranaque - 2
Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Mon Abundo
Pasig
Jericho Cruz
Marikina
Paolo Taha
Valenzuela
Rey Guevarra
OVERSEAS

California - 22
Chris Newsome
Willy Wilson
Alex Cabagnot
Marcio Lassiter
Stanley Pringle
Sol Mercado
Maverick Ahanmisi
Ryan Reyes
Mark Caguioa
Chris Ellis
Kyle Pascual
Karl Dehesa
Mike Cortez
Alex Mallari
Kelly Nabong
Simon Enciso
Harvey Carey
Kris Rosales
Rome dela Rosa
Abel Galliguez
Jason Deutchman
Tony dela Cruz
New York – 2
Rafi Reavis
Rashawn Mccarthy
Hawaii
Joe Devance
Chicago
Mike DiGregorio
Illinois
Chris Lutz
Florida
Cliff Hodge
Michigan
Kelly Williams
North Carolina
Gabe Norwood
Ohio
Greg Slaughter
Pennsylvania
Danny Seigle
San Antonio, Texas
Chris Ross
Seattle, Washington
Chris Banchero
Canada - 4
Sean Anthony
Matthew Wright
James Forrester
Norbert Torres
Australia - 3
Anthony Semerad
David Semerad
Mick Pennisi
Tonga - 2
Asi Taulava
Mo Tautuaa
Papua New Guinea
Sonny Thoss
Germany
Arnold Van Opstal
Hong Kong
Joseph Eriobu
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