HAVING “collegiate champion” on your resume gives you a definite edge.
That’s because schools with alumni who have tasted success at the UAAP or NCAA level still top the list of educational institutions with the most number of active PBA players, according to the opening-day rosters the league released before its 44th season.
Ateneo remains No. 1 with 19 former Blue Eagles suiting up for clubs across Asia’s first pro league, with the addition of rookies Kris Porter of NLEX and Alaska’s G-Boy Babilonia. The Jesuit-run university's total, however, is one less from last season.
The list includes Kiefer Ravena who’s officially not part of the Road Warriors' Philippine Cup roster owing to his ongoing Fiba suspension, but has a live contract and is expected to return in the Commissioner’s Cup.
San Beda overtakes FEU as the school with the second-most active players from 14 last year to 15 this season with the entry of Robert Bolick Jr. at NorthPort and Javee Mocon at Meralco.
From 15 players last season, the Tamaraws’ tally slightly dropped to 14 even with rookie Ron Dennison of Phoenix becoming the latest FEU alumnus to realize his pro hoop dreams.
University of the East has supplanted La Salle at No. 4 with 11 Red Warriors suiting up this season, one more than the Green Archers, who share fifth spot with Letran.
University of Santo Tomas and National University are tied at No. 7 with eight alumni apiece, status quo from last year’s total.
The University of the Philippines cracked the Top 10, claiming a piece of ninth place with San Sebastian after adding four more alumni from last year’s three graduates in rookies Paul Desiderio, Diego Dario, and Kyles Lao, together with the return of ROS veteran Jireh Ibañes from injury.
Outside the Top 10 and big schools, Technological Institute of the Philippines and Rizal Technological University are finally represented in the PBA in TIP’s Jorey Napoles of Phoenix and RTU product Cyrus Tabi of Columbian Dyip.
Take a look at the rest of the schools and their proud alumni who managed to make the jump to the country's most coveted cage league:
1. Ateneo (19) – Von Pessumal, Frank Golla, Nico Salva, Chris Newsome, Emman Monfort, Juami Tiongson, Larry Fonacier, Kiefer Ravena, JC Intal, Justin Chua, Doug Kramer, Noy Baclao, LA Tenorio, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram, Nico Elorde, G-Boy Babilonia, Kris Porter
2. San Beda (15) - Bambam Gamalinda, Rome dela Rosa, Kyle Pascual, Anthony Semerad, David Semerad, Jaypee Mendoza, Baser Amer, Garvo Lanete, Anjo Caram, Jake Pascual, Davon Potts, Art dela Cruz, Dave Marcelo, Robert Bolick Jr., Javee Mocon
3. FEU (14) - Mark Barroca, Aldrech Ramos, Arwind Santos, Roger Pogoy, RR Garcia, Mike Tolomia, Jeff Chan, Ping Exciminiano, Carl Bryan Cruz, Mac Belo, Raymar Jose, Terrence Romeo, Russel Escoto, Ron Dennison
4. UE (11) - Paul Lee, Mark Borboran, James Yap, Paul Zamar, Bong Galanza, Ronald Tubid, Niño Canaleta, Roi Sumang, Renz Palma, Chris Javier, Paul Varilla
5. La Salle (10)- Norbert Torres, LA Revilla, Jason Perkins, Willy Wilson, Jeron Teng, JVee Casio, Mike Cortez, Julian Sargent, Ryan Araña, Abu Tratter
Letran (10) – Raymond Almazan, Rey Nambatac, Bryan Faundo, Kevin Alas, Rey Guevarra, RJ Jazul, Kevin Racal, JP Calvo, Bong Quinto, Jom Sollano
7. University of Santo Tomas (8) - Ed Daquioag, Louie Vigil, Cyrus Baguio, Kevin Ferrer, Jervy Cruz, Aljon Mariano, Allein Maliksi, Jeepy Faundo
NU (8) – Jewel Ponferrada, Troy Rosario, Reden Celda, Glenn Khobuntin, Gelo Alolino, Marion Magat, Raymond Aguilar, Jayjay Alejandro
9. San Sebastian (7) - Ian Sangalang, Dexter Maiquez, Jason Ballesteros, Michael Miranda, Calvin Abueva, Bradwyn Guinto, Michael Calisaan
University of the Philippines (7) – Jireh Ibañes, Jay-R Reyes, Raul Soyud, Mike Gamboa, Diego Dario, Paul Desiderio, Kyles Lao
Adamson (5) - Rodney Brondial, Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, Eric Camson, Jansen Rios
Arellano (5) – Jio Jalalon, Keith Agovida, Prince Caperal, John Pinto, Lervin Flores
Philippine Christian University (4) – Beau Belga, Gabby Espinas, Jayson Castro, Jackson Corpuz
Lyceum (4) – Chico Lanete, Joseph Gabayni, MJ Ayaay, CJ Perez
Jose Rizal University (3) – Philip Paniamogan, James Sena, Teytey Teodoro
Mapua (3) – Kenneth Ighalo, Joseph Eriobu, Yousef Taha
University of Cebu (2) – Brian Heruela, June Mar Fajardo
Philippine School of Business Administration (2) – Marc Pingris, Vic Manuel
St. Francis of Assisi (2) – Yancy de Ocampo, Ranidel de Ocampo
College of St. Benilde (2) – Paolo Taha, Jonathan Grey
University of Manila (1) – Reynel Hugnatan
University of Perpetual Help (1) – Scottie Thompson
Centro Escolar University (1) – Mon Abundo
Emilio Aguinaldo College (1) – Sydney Onwubere
TIP (1) – Jorey Napoles
St. Clare (1) – Jammer Jamito
Earist (1) – Andreas Cahilig
RTU (1) – Cyrus Tabi
Colegio de San Lorenzo (1) – Jon Jon Gabriel
University of Mindanao (1) – PJ Simon
University of Visayas (1) – JR Quiñahan
Southwestern University (1) – Mark Tallo
Standouts who studied abroad slightly increased from 35 to 36 this year. Jay Washington, an Eckerd product, is yet to be part of this list of foreign-raised players as Rain or Shine has yet to put him on their roster.
Cal State Fullerton (2) – Marcio Lassiter, Ryan Reyes
Hope International University (2) – Kris Rosales, Ael Banal
Bakersfield – Billy Mamaril
Biola University – Sol Mercado
BYU-Hawaii – Asi Taulava
Cal Poly Pomona – Matt Ganuelas Rosser
Coppin State – Rafi Reavis
Chadron State College – Mo Tautuaa
George Mason University – Gabe Norwood
Glendale – Mark Caguioa
Hawaii – Christian Standhardinger
Hawaii-Hilo – Alex Cabagnot
James Cook University – Sonny Thoss
John Brown University – Abel Galliguez
Lewis-Clark State College – Alex Mallari
Long Beach State – Jerramy King
Marshall – Chris Ross
McGill University – Sean Anthony
McKendree University – Mike DiGregorio
NDNU – Simon Enciso
Oakland – Kelly Williams
Old Westbury – Rashawn McCarthy
Penn State – Stanley Pringle
Reedley – Cliff Hodge
Sacramento State – Trevis Jackson
San Francisco State University – Robbie Herndon
Seattle Pacific University – Chris Banchero
Sonoma State – Harvey Carey
SRJC – Kelly Nabong
St. Bonaventure – Matthew Wright
University of Hawaii – Jared Dillinger
University of Minnesota – Maverick Ahanmisi
University of Mount Olive – Justin Melton
UTEP – Joe Devance
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