Friday, October 17, 2008 SBP to launch new D-League
STARTING Oct. 25, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under the leadership of telecoms mogul Manuel V.
Pangilinan will set into motion a forward-looking grassroots development program through the National Basketball Training
Center (NBTC) D-League sponsored by Nokia.
The NBTC envisions itself not only as a feeder program for collegiate, amateur and commercial leagues like the UAAP, NCAA, PBL, PBA and the Liga Pilipinas, the last of which is under SBP Executive Director Noli Eala but also to identify and prepare players for the National Youth teams.
“The Youth Basketball Program of Nokia and TAO Corporation is a priority-area of the SBP” said Eala. “We welcome the NBTC D-League because it is a very important building-block for the foundation of Philippine basketball.”
Aside from Eala, Youth Basketball Commission chair Nic Jorge, who is behind the successful Best Center that is a pioneering basketball-teaching institution, threw his support behind the notable project for Philippine basketball.
“The Best Center, along with other important clubs such as the MBBL and schools like UAAP Champion Ateneo and NCAA Champs San Beda will set-up screening committees that will take note of outstanding youth talents and send these boys along with our recommendation to the NBTC,” said Jorge.
The D-League drew 34 teams from different cities and municipalities, each adhering to the aim of coming up with well-trained players and coaches under a singular program. The players were chosen through “talent identification camps.”
The Developmental League is composed of an inter-city, regional and national championship.
With Nokia shouldering majority of the tournament costs, Local Government Units and the private sector also pitched in. (PR)
