|
THE
Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang
Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) is launching in April
the Liga Pilipinas, a league that will feature teams
from local government units.
The
BAP-SBP has tentatively set April 29 as the opening of
the tournament, which will be handled by former
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner
Noli Eala.
BAP-SBP
executive director Patrick Gregorio said they expect as
many as 16 teams to join the tournament.
“A lot
of provinces are signifying their intentions to join
like Cebu wants to field two teams and Ilocos Sur,
Pampanga and Baguio are very keen on forming their
team,” said Gregorio.
“In
fact, our BAP-SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan is also
mulling to bankroll the Pampanga squad because he’s a
Capampangan. Marami ngang naiinggit sa Pampanga
because MVP is supporting the team,” he added.
The
Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association and National
Basketball Confederation have merged to form the core of
the new basketball league.
Gregorio
said they intend to discover new talent from the
countryside through the Liga Pilipinas in as much the
same way as what the defunct Metropolitan Basketball
Association (MBA) did.
“The
BAP-SBP believes that there are still many talents na
hindi pa natin nata-tap. And this is the primary
goal of this league—maghanap ng magagaling na
basketball players sa buong bansa and provide
them the experience they need through this Liga
Pilipinas,” said Gregorio.
The
BAP-SBP, Gregorio clarified, will not be competing with
the PBA. In 1998 the MBA was formed through the backing
of television giant ABS-CBN but folded up four years
later because of funding woes. |
