MANILA – Western Visayas’ basketball pride will be on full display as ten players with roots from the region officially make the cut in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, which tips off this Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The talent pool from Region 6 continues to shape the league, with Iloilo, Aklan, and Negros Occidental collectively supplying a solid core across multiple franchises. Of the ten, four trace their roots to Iloilo, three to Aklan, and three to Negros Occidental.
San Miguel Beermen boasts the biggest Visayan contingent this conference with three players – Aklanons Andreas Cahilig and Kris Rosales, and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz.
Meralco Bolts follow with two: Iloilo’s Antonio Jose Caram and Raymar Jose of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental. Terrafirma Dyip also lists La Carlota’s Mark Nonoy and Aklanon Keith Zaldivar.
Single standouts include Iloilo City’s Paul Zamar for Blackwater Bossing, Manapla’s Paul Varilla for TNT Tropang Giga, and Iloilo’s Juan Paolo Taha for Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots.
Notably absent from the conference rosters are other big names from the region: Bacolodnons Kib Montalbo and Justin Chua, Silaynon Miguel Corteza, Hinigaran’s Jhan Nermal, and Bago City’s Raul Soyud.
Other participating squads this season are Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, Converge FiberXers, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, NLEX Road Warriors, Titan Ultra Giant Risers, and Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Season 50 opens with no less than a marquee rivalry – the Magnolia Hotshots clashing against the Ginebra Gin Kings at the Big Dome. Elimination round games will be staged every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday./PN
