IN this basketball-crazy country, there could be no one crazier – or better – than the ones from a North Luzon province and two from Visayas.
After all, Pampanga, Cebu, and Negros Occidental maintained their status as the top basketball hotbeds in the country, having the most natives playing in the PBA this season.
Pampanga even solidified its hold on the top spot with the addition of two rookies and a returning player, increasing its tally from 11 last year to 13 this year.
Cebu came in at second with nine players – one more than last year, but the province could’ve almost had as many players as Pampanga, as Terrence Romeo’s dad is from Cebu and his mom from Surigao, but we listed the GlobalPort star as a Cavite native where he grew up. Sonny Thoss’ mother is likewise a Cebuana, but we put him under Papua New Guinea where he was born.
We also put Greg Slaughter under Cebu where his mother is from after being listed under his native Ohio last year.
Negros Occidental also increased its tally by one player, with third overall pick Raymar Jose being the most significant addition.
Iloilo made the biggest jump from seventh, with prized rookie Kiefer Ravena being the top addition, while Cagayan de Oro rounded out the Top Five with six players, one more than last year.
California continued to own the most players who were raised overseas with 22 standouts.
Here’s the full list (based on opening-day rosters released last week).
Pampanga – 13
Jayson Castro
Calvin Abueva
Arwind Santos
Japeth Aguilar
Ian Sangalang
JC Intal
Russel Escoto
Justin Melton
Michael Miranda
Dexter Maiquez
Ronald Pascual
Lervin Flores
Michael Juico
Cebu - 9
June Mar Fajardo
Greg Slaughter
JR Quiñahan
Aldrech Ramos
Brian Heruela
Roger Pogoy
Joseph Sedurifa
Monbert Arong
Mark Tallo
Negros Occidental - 8
James Yap
Jeff Chan
Noy Baclao
LA Revilla
Mark Yee
Reynel Hugnatan
Raul Soyud
Raymar Jose
Iloilo – 6
Ronald Tubid
Anjo Caram
Paolo Taha
Ken Bono
Emman Monfort
Kiefer Ravena
Cagayan de Oro - 6
Poy Erram
Jio Jalalon
Glenn Khobuntin
Philip Paniamogan
Rey Nambatac
Dan Sara
Davao del Sur - 4
Scottie Thompson
Baser Amer
John Pinto
Reden Celda
Bulacan - 4
Art dela Cruz
Billy Mamaril
Michael Mabulac
Emil Renz Palma
Pangasinan - 4
Marc Pingris
Jason Ballesteros
Bryan Faundo
Marion Magat
Tarlac - 4
Niño Canaleta
Jake Pascual
Jaypee Mendoza
Jon Jon Gabriel
Cavite - 3
Terrence Romeo
Ranidel de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Albay - 3
Mark Borboran
Jay-R Reyes
Alex Nuyles
Olongapo - 3
Gabby Espinas
Ping Exciminiano
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser
Zamboanga - 3
RR Garcia
Mark Barroca
Mike Tolomia
Leyte - 3
Chico Lanete
Garvo Lanete
Dylan Ababou
Batangas - 2
LA Tenorio
Eric Camson
Iligan - 2
Cyrus Baguio
Bambam Gamalinda
Bataan - 2
Raymond Almazan
Bradwyn Guinto
Cotabato - 2
Mac Belo
PJ Simon
Laguna - 2
Chris Javier
Jan Jamon
Cagayan Valley - 2
Troy Rosario
Jam Cortes
Isabela - 2
Jackson Corpuz
Bong Galanza
Nueva Ecija
Vic Manuel
Quezon
Mac Baracael
Aurora
Keith Agovida
Baguio
Doug Kramer
Catanduanes
Don Trollano
Ilocos Norte
Ed Daquioag
La Union
James Sena
Romblon
Jansen Rios
Camarines Norte
Jammer Jamito
Sorsogon
Beau Belga
Tagbilaran
Alfrancis Tamsi
Zambales
Jay Washington
Samar
Jewel Ponferrada
NCR
Manila – 11
Paul Lee
Ryan Araña
Jonathan Grey
Allein Maliksi
Ronnie Matias
Carl Bryan Cruz
Dave Marcelo
Raymond Aguilar
Von Pessumal
Justin Chua
Kenneth Ighalo
Quezon City - 11
Larry Fonacier
Jervy Cruz
Ronjay Buenafe
Rodney Brondial
Marvin Hayes
Prince Caperal
Frank Golla
Mark Cruz
Nico Salva
Jett Manuel
Kyle Neypes
Mandaluyong -5
Juami Tiongson
Ael Banal
Kevin Racal
Aljon Mariano
Jeron Teng
Makati - 3
Jvee Casio
Kevin Ferrer
San Juan - 3
Chris Tiu
Fonzo Gotladera
Joseph Gabayni
Las Piñas -2
Kevin Alas
Gelo Alolino
Paranaque - 2
Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Mon Abundo
Pasig - 2
Jericho Cruz
Louie Vigil
Valenzuela - 2
Rey Guevarra
Sidney Onwubere
Pasay - 1
RJ Jazul
California - 22
Chris Newsome
Willy Wilson
Alex Cabagnot
Marcio Lassiter
Stanley Pringle
Sol Mercado
Maverick Ahanmisi
Ryan Reyes
Mark Caguioa
Kyle Pascual
Karl Dehesa
Mike Cortez
Alex Mallari
Kelly Nabong
Simon Enciso
Harvey Carey
Rome dela Rosa
Abel Galliguez
Robbie Herndon
Davon Potts
Julian Sargent
Jerramy King
New York – 2
Rafi Reavis
Rashawn Mccarthy
Hawaii
Joe Devance
Chicago
Mike DiGregorio
Florida
Cliff Hodge
Maryland
Jason Perkins
Michigan
Kelly Williams
North Carolina
Gabe Norwood
South Dakota
Jared Dillinger
San Antonio, Texas
Chris Ross
Seattle, Washington
Chris Banchero
Canada - 3
Sean Anthony
Matthew Wright
Norbert Torres
Australia - 2
Anthony Semerad
David Semerad
Tonga - 2
Asi Taulava
Mo Tautuaa
Papua New Guinea
Sonny Thoss
Germany
Arnold Van Opstal
Hong Kong
Joseph Eriobu
Kuwait
Yousef Taha
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