From The Wires
FIFTEEN of the top high school basketball teams in the country will battle for the all-or-nothing Php 300,000 champion’s purse in the upcoming Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL), which is out to offer Filipino aspiring high school basketball players their newest platform to showcase their prowess.
The squads confirmed their participation in last Monday’s NGBL Coaches’ Meeting at the Saikou Bar & Cafe at Ronac Art Gallery Center in San Juan, Metro Manila.
The league, which is headed by Commissioner and PBA legend Ronnie Magsanoc, is set to feature HS squads from the UAAP, NCAA, and other schools from the Philippines, and it aims to give the young student-athletes more exposure and help in their transition to collegiate basketball.
“It’s a mission eh, to help the student-athletes. The NGBL is here to give them the maximum exposure for us to create the best homegrown talents,” said Magsanoc, who will be working together with NGBL executive committee chairman and San Miguel Sports Director Alfrancis Chua, Tournament Director LA Tenorio of Barangay. Ginebra, Program Director Bonnie Tan of NorthPort, and Operations Manager & PBA Chief Statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
“Sabi nga ni LA, galing siya sa high school program eh, so he had the idea. Gusto niya maibalik yung opportunities sa mga homegrown players,” added the three-time PBA champion and four-time Mythical Team member. “There’s a rationale behind it, there’s a story behind it, but more than that, there is a vision.”
Aside from this, Magsanoc said that the people who are in support of the program will also be vital in how they implement what they have in mind for the aspirants.
“It’s the people behind the program. Kung titignan mo, lahat has good basketball minds,” said Magsanoc of their management group which also has Executive Committee members Bigboy Cheng and Eric Ang.
Joining the inaugural tournament of the NGBL are the UAAP’s Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, National University, and the University of the East.
On the other hand, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, San Beda University, La Salle Green Hills, Mapua University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Arellano University, Jose Rizal University, and Lyceum of the Philippines University complete the NCAA side.
Meanwhile, Xavier School and MGC New Life Christian Academy are also among the teams who will be competing in the league which opens August 11 at the Tanduay Gym in Manila, where all other Sunday and holiday games will be played.
On the other hand, the Saturday games of the league which will be sponsored by Uratex, Verleo, Tanduay, World Balance, Gatorade, Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas (league outfitter), and RICAuPVC Aluminium Glass and Trading Corp, are set to be played at Aero Center in Quezon City.
The squads will be divided into two groups with each group having a single round-robin elimination. The Top 4 teams per group will advance to the crossover knockout quarterfinals. The semifinals and the Finals will also be determined via knockout games, and the victor will bring home the Php 300,000 cash prize.
