D-League to fill need for future PBA stars

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association is pushing through with its plan to form its own developmental league, looking for a January date to launch the event.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud said they’re now finalizing the rules and tournament format of the PBA D-League featuring players aged 17-26.

“The PBA is not just about being the country’s top sports entertainment league. Our constitution mandates us to be involved in the development of Philippine basketball and to encourage greater participation in the game by opening new areas of competition,” said Salud.

“The PBA members want to invest in our youth by hosting a developmental league where young Filipino basketball players can develop their skills and hone their talent,” Salud added.

“In my point of view, the PBA needs an amateur league like the D-League for its continued success. At the same time, organizing the D-League will help enhance the skills and talent of players in the grassroots level who could be future PBA stars,” said PBA board chairman Rene Pardo.

Maynilad Waters, a corporation hoping to join the pro league in the near future, has promised to support this new PBA undertaking.

“I support the plans of commissioner Chito Salud and the PBA board to organize the PBA D-League specially if the objective is to push the development of basketball in the grassroots and LGU level,” said Maynilad president Ricky Vargas, a former PBA board chair who is currently vice chair of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The PBA is eager to form the D-League with the status of amateur commercial leagues PBL and Liga Pilipinas remaining uncertain.

PBA officials are concerned the absence of this sector would create a vacuum that would affect not only the pro league but Philippine basketball as a whole.

The pro league is looking to launch the D-League in January, running a short tourney before the collegiate basketball season.

Meanwhile, joint leader San Miguel Beer tries to bounce back from a loss the last time out as it tangles with Barako Bull at the resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Beermen and the Energy Boosters clash at 5 p.m. preceding the 7:30 p.m. tiff between the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados and the Powerade Tigers.

Coach Ato Agustin and his Beermen are raring to get back on track after being stunned by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 107-110, Sunday.

It was San Miguel’s first loss in six games, allowing Talk n Text to catch up at 6-2.