There is still a room for one more league in this hoop-crazy nation.
Officials of the soon-to-be launched Quezon City Basketball League are confident about getting positive reception for the tournament despite the heavy-load of cage meets being held in and out of the metropolis.
“I believe hindi mawawalan ng players at hindi magsasawa sa kakalaro ang mga Pilipino,” said QCBL Executive Director BJ Manalo, the former PBA player out of De La Salle, at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King Restaurant in Farmers Plaza, Cubao on Tuesday.
“We’re not really competing against other leagues. In fact, we want to work with them para ma-develop pa yung mga future na manlalaro ng basketball, and at the same time, opportunity for us na makakita ng future coaches at future basketball players.”
The new league is set for launch on Nov. 10 at the JCR gym at FEU-NRMF in Fairview.
Oliver Bunyi, also a former La Salle player, who previously worked together with Manalo at Globalport in the PBA, was also in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation will kick off with the Corporate Cup, where three divisions are on tap, namely Open, Cadet, and Starter.
“Pero ang eventual na magiging main league nito is ‘yung NBA na barangay-style na home-and-away. Doon kami excited,” added Manalo. “Nai-imagine namin ‘yung excitement na dadalhin mo ‘yung isang organized basketball sa isang maliit na lugar. At least ibang market naman para ma-tap ‘yung mga taong nandun.”
According to Bunyi, who also acts as basketball operations head, the meet will be using FIBA rules while the pool of referees of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is the ones which will officiate the games.
In addition, Bunyi mentioned the league will not only concentrate on 5-on-5 tournaments, but also on 3×3 contest.
“That’s what we’re looking at na umpisahan sa barangay level,” he said, “In the whole world, nag-go-grow na siya (3×3). And even sa 2020 Olympics nandoon na rin ‘yun.”