PBL, Liga launch 9-team RP tourney

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas yesterday formalized its tie-up to boost the sport with nine teams from both leagues vying in the inaugural Tournament of the Philippines firing off today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The tournament serves as the dry run for the eventual merger of the two leagues.

Ascof Lagundi squares off with Trace Laguna in the 1:30 p.m. curtain raiser, while M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu takes on Ani-FCA at 3:30 p.m.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan has been invited to make the ceremonial toss in the opening rites.

“The PBL with its very strong history and background combined with Liga Pilipinas’ strong foothold in its objectives provide a very great potential of bringing positive change in Philippine basketball,” said SBP executive director and Liga Pilipinas chief executive officer Noli Eala in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

Also gracing the forum were PBL chairman Ding Camua, PBL executive director Butch Maniego, SBP technical commission head Perry Martinez and Bernie Atienza.

Eala said that the merger is done for the best interest of Philippine basketball.

“I doubt that we vary in our philosophy which is to develop basketball,” said Eala. “The PBL is a developmental league while Liga focuses on regional talent. We combined the PBL’s strength in media with Liga’s strength in regional on-ground exposure. This is a groundwork for Philippine basketball and may be one of the best things that happened in the sport in the country. In terms of rules, we combined some things and we left some things. We’re very optimistic about our future. This is a start of a fruitful partnership.”

“Let’s see how different leagues would work together for the development of sports,” said Camua.

The tournament is adopting the Liga Pilipinas format where teams earn corresponding points in their respective finishes in each leg. A playoff system will be held following the nine-leg phase.

Noting the many differences between the PBL and Liga, Camua said the merger will provide the answer whether both leagues “could jive together.”

Other teams seeing action are General Santos City, Misamis Oriental, Mandaue and Taguig from Liga Pilipinas and another one from the PBL.

Hosting the second leg is General Santos City.

Basketball TV will telecast the games on a delayed basis from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday.