WHAT do Pampanga, Cebu, and Negros Occidental have in common?
Well, aside from their distinct dialects and delectable dishes, among others, these provinces are also known to be the top producers of PBA talent.
The North Luzon province and the two from Visayas kept their stature as the Top 3 basketball hotbeds in the country, having the most natives playing in the PBA this season, according to the opening-day rosters the league released.
Pampanga tightened its grip on the No. 1 spot by having the same Kapampangan sons since last year at 13 with the addition of two rookies in Javee Mocon and Michael Calisaan.
Cebu has the second-most representatives, increasing its tally from nine to breaching the double-digit barrier with 10 this year with three Cebuano rookies making their way to the pros in Paul Desiderio, Kris Porter, and Ron Dennison.
Negros Occidental rounded out the Top 3 by maintaining its total from last year with eight Negrense players suiting up for PBA teams.
Outside the Top 3, Pangasinan made a huge leap to fourth spot, increasing the Pangasinense platoon from four to six this year with its most notable addition being top rookie pick CJ Perez.
Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro shared fifth spot with five natives each, all holdovers from last year.
Other Luzon and Visayas provinces are also represented, ranging from one to four representatives per area.
One province that returned to the PBA map is Palawan, which, after having zero natives last year, has two this season in the returning Jireh Ibañes and rookie Cyrus Tabi.
Manila and Quezon City still have the most representatives among NCR cities, although QC dropped from 11 to seven players this year.
In terms of overseas-born or -raised players, most still came from California, which padded its total from 22 to 24 players this year.
Take a look at the entire list of PBA players and their hometowns:
Pampanga - 13
Jayson Castro
Calvin Abueva
Arwind Santos
Japeth Aguilar
Ian Sangalang
JC Intal
Russel Escoto
Justin Melton
Michael Miranda
Dexter Maiquez
Lervin Flores
Michael Calisaan
Javee Mocon
Cebu – 10
June Mar Fajardo
Greg Slaughter
JR Quiñahan
Aldrech Ramos
Brian Heruela
Roger Pogoy
Mark Tallo
Paul Desiderio
Kris Porter
Ron Dennison
Negros Occidental - 8
James Yap
Jeff Chan
Noy Baclao
LA Revilla
Reynel Hugnatan
Raul Soyud
Raymar Jose
JP Calvo – Silay City
Pangasinan - 6
Marc Pingris
Jason Ballesteros
Bryan Faundo
Marion Magat
CJ Perez – Pangasinan
Jeepy Faundo – Pozorrubio, Pangasinan
Iloilo - 5
Ronald Tubid
Anjo Caram
Paolo Taha
Emman Monfort
Kiefer Ravena
Cagayan de Oro - 5
Poy Erram
Jio Jalalon
Glenn Khobuntin
Philip Paniamogan
Rey Nambatac
Davao del Sur – 4
Scottie Thompson
Baser Amer
John Pinto
Reden Celda
Tarlac – 4
Niño Canaleta
Jake Pascual
Jaypee Mendoza
Jon Jon Gabriel
Bulacan - 3
Art dela Cruz
Billy Mamaril
Emil Renz Palma
Cavite – 3
Terrence Romeo
Ranidel de Ocampo
Yancy de Ocampo
Albay – 3
Mark Borboran
Jay-R Reyes
Jorey Napoles – Daraga, Albay
Olongapo – 3
Gabby Espinas
Ping Exciminiano
Matt Ganuelas-Rosser
Zamboanga -3
RR Garcia
Mark Barroca
Mike Tolomia
Leyte – 3
Chico Lanete
Garvo Lanete
Robert Bolick – Ormoc
Batangas - 2
LA Tenorio
Eric Camson
Iligan - 2
Cyrus Baguio
Bambam Gamalinda
Bataan - 2
Raymond Almazan
Bradwyn Guinto
Cotabato – 2
PJ Simon
Mac Belo
Laguna – 2
Chris Javier
Abu Tratter – Siniloan, Laguna
Isabela - 2
Jackson Corpuz
Bong Galanza
Quezon -2
MJ Ayaay
Teytey Teodoro – Lucena
Palawan - 2
Jireh Ibañes
Cyrus Tabi
Samar - 2
Jewel Ponferrada
Jom Sollano
Cagayan Valley
Troy Rosario
Nueva Ecija
Vic Manuel
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
Zambales
Jay Washington
NCR
Manila – 12
Paul Lee
Ryan Araña
Jonathan Grey
Allein Maliksi
Carl Bryan Cruz
Dave Marcelo
Raymond Aguilar
Von Pessumal
Justin Chua
Kenneth Ighalo
Roi Sumang
Kyles Lao
Quezon City - 7
Larry Fonacier
Jervy Cruz
Rodney Brondial
Prince Caperal
Frank Golla
Nico Salva
Bong Quinto – Quezon City
Mandaluyong – 6
Juami Tiongson
Ael Banal
Kevin Racal
Aljon Mariano
Jeron Teng
G-Boy Babilonia
Makati – 3
Jvee Casio
Kevin Ferrer
Bobby Ray Parks Jr.
Parañaque – 3
Nico Elorde
Paul Zamar
Mon Abundo
San Juan – 2
Joseph Gabayni
Diego Dario
Las Piñas -2
Kevin Alas
Gelo Alolino
Pasig – 2
Jericho Cruz
Louie Vigil
Valenzuela - 2
Rey Guevarra
Sidney Onwubere
Pasay
RJ Jazul
Caloocan
Jayjay Alejandro
Overseas-raised players
California - 24
Chris Newsome
Willy Wilson
Alex Cabagnot
Marcio Lassiter
Stanley Pringle
Sol Mercado
Maverick Ahanmisi
Ryan Reyes
Mark Caguioa
Kyle Pascual
Mike Cortez
Alex Mallari
Kelly Nabong
Simon Enciso
Harvey Carey
Rome dela Rosa
Abel Galliguez
Robbie Herndon
Kris Rosales
Davon Potts
Julian Sargent
Jerramy King
Trevis Jackson
Paul Varilla
New York - 2
Rafi Reavis
Rashawn Mccarthy
Florida – 2
Cliff Hodge
Matt Salem
Hawaii
Joe Devance
Chicago
Mike DiGregorio
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
Germany
Christian Standhardinger
Papua New Guinea
Sonny Thoss
Sweden
Andreas Cahilig
Hong Kong
Joseph Eriobu
Kuwait
Yousef Taha
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