I'd be really curious to see a non-anecdotal exploration of this thesis. (My own anecdata points in the opposite direction.) I ran across this study via random googling: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318649651_Correlati...

Concluding paragraph:

"Therefore, the data tabulated is sufficient to allow this study to draw several conclusions and inferences. First, it is reasonable to conclude that Mathematical ability of the students could be the basis of admissions for BSCS program. Second, students who performed well in math can, therefore, performed (sic) well in programming courses. Third, the Mathematical ability could be a predictor of student performance in programming courses."

Of course, it'd be nice to see some other studies confirming/disconfirming this conclusion.