NBL, WNBL at PRO League, Dapat Abangan
Pagkakaabangan ang National Basketball League (NBL) at counterpart nito na Women’s NBL at maging pro league sa pagbubukas ng ikatlong season ngayong taon.
Inilarawan ni Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra, ang pormal na pagsumite ng dalawang liga bilang pinakabagong sanctioned Pro League sa bansa
“I’m very happy that NBL is turning pro, giving more basketball players especially homegrown talents opportunities to play professionally,” pahayag ni Mitra.
“Glad that there will finally be a women’s pro league in the Philippines, giving women’s players opportunities after graduating in college leagues. it is about time for Philippine basketball to be a gender-neutral sport,” sambit ng GAB Chairman.
Ayon pa kay Mitra, nakatakdang makipagpulong ang mga kinatawan ng GAM medical, league at pro games division sa mga opisyal at mga miyembrong koponan ng NBL at WNBL para mailahad ang mga itinakdang rules and regulation gayundin ang health and safety protocols na sinangayunan ng Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) batay sa isinumiteng Joint Administrative Order (JAO) ng GAB, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at DOH.
“Happy for the NBL players that they will be able to achieve their dream of playing professional basketball. Ever since NBL was established, it was also a dream to also create a women’s league to give Filipina ballers exposure. Happy for the women’s basketball players that they will now have an opportunity to extend their careers,” aniya.
Itinatag ang NBL noong 2018 na may konseptong ang bawat koponan na kinatawang lalawigan, munisipalidad at lungsod ay kailangang binubuo ng mga homegrown players.
Ang Paranaque Aces at Taguig Generals ang unang dalawang kampeon. Sa ikatlong season na nabinbin dahil sa COVID-19 kabuuang 14 team ang lalahok kabilang ang Pampanga Delta, Camsur Express, La Union Power, Zamboanga Valientes, Muntinlupa Emeralds, Cavite Ballers, Pasig El Pirata, Quezon City Defenders, Laguna Pistons, Nueva Ecija Besprens, Caloocan Executives, at Marikina Best Shoemakers.
Sinimulan naman ang WNBL makalipas ang isang taon at ang PSI Lady Air Defenders ang inaugural champion.
Kasabay nito, inilatag din ng liga ang NBL Youth bilang grassroots development program.