Barrios graces Seaoil Elite Basketball League

BACOLOD , Philippines – The Seaoil Elite Basketball League national finals unfurls today with no less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios ushering in the four-day event at the West Negros U Gym here.

Barrios wil speak before some 16 teams from all over the country in simple opening ceremonies set at 1:30 p.m. although games are already set as early as 8:30 a.m. in this meet sponsored by Seaoil Philippines, Burlington, Freego Jeans and Molten under the SBP.

The former PBA commissioner cited the gains of the grassroots program aimed at no less than identifying, tapping, preparing and developing young promising talents especially from the far-flung areas in the country that would be tapped in future national teams.

This early, all eyes are focused on powerhouse squads Cebu, Davao and Bacolod in contending for the prestigious crown although serious challenge could also come from teams from South Luzon, North Luzon and Mindanao.

“It will be a very interesting tournament as these teams represent the best for their regions and for the 14-16 years old age category,” said Altamirano. He said that the players and the coaches were trained using a unique module exclusive only to the league.

“If they do well, these players may be future stars of Philippine basketball,” he added.

The teams are South Luzon (San Mig Coffee Cavite and B-Meg Lucena), North Luzon (Magnolia Fresh Chicken Bulacan, Magnolia Ice Cream La Union, Star Margarine Olongapo), Visayas (Star Margarine Dumaguete, Purefoods TJ Cebu and Bacolod, San Mig Coffee Bacolod, Magnolia Ice Cream Iloilo and B-MEG Ormoc) and Mindanao (Star Margarine Zamboanga, Magnolia Ice Cream Gen San, Purefoods TJ Davao, Monterey Meatshop CDO and San Mig Coffee Iligan).

Petroleum company Seaoil Philippines is the chief backer of Seaoil Elite League, also known as the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Elite League, composed of 168 teams made up of 3,024 players and 336 coaches.