The second season of the National Basketball League will open on March 9 at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
NBL chairman Celso ‘Soy’ Mercado said the opening matches will feature a rematch of last season’s finals between the Parañaque Aces and the Dasmariñas Ballers, and a tiff between the home squad Laguna Pistons and the Taguig Generals.
Mercado said the league is eyeing 12 to 14 teams this season, with founding teams Quezon City and Cam Sur among the teams that have confirmed participation.
Mercado also said the Women’s NBL (WNBL) and NBL Youth will also open shop in the second season of the league.
“We are planning to have an NBL Youth 17-under and 12-under divisions aside from the women’s tournament which will also be played before the NBL men’s this coming March 9,” said Mercado during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King Cubao Farmers Market recently.
Mercado also bared the Parañaque Aces, as incentive for winning last season’s crown, will be going to Vietnam to play in the Vietnam Basketball Association preseason games.
Mercado said the league also has big plans for the league including a 30-above commercial league and an NBL selection that will be playing in the PBA D-League.