23 teams duke it out in Pilipinas Super League National Finals

MANILA, Philippines – The cast for the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) National Finals is now complete as five teams from the Visayas Regional Finals were able to secure berths in the qualifying tournament for the first ever Global Championship Challenge.

Four teams from Cebu and one from Ormoc advanced to the National Finals slated July 7-11 at Victoria Sports in Quezon City.

Emerging as champions in their respective divisions were Cebu-Khalifa (Born 2004), Cebu-USPF (Born 2008) and Cebu-GN Splasher (Born 2006).

But due to conflict in the Palarong Pambansa, Cebu's Born 2006 champion team won't be able to compete in the National Finals.

Also cracking spots in the tournament were runner-ups Cebu-Shirillin/Atty. Dico (Born 2004), Ormoc-OCCCI (Born 2008) and Cebu-USJR (Born 2006).

They will join the early qualifiers, the top two placers in the previous regional events:

Mindanao – Davao Occidental (Born 2004 champion), Misamis Oriental (Born 2006 champion), Davao City (Born 2008 champion), Davao City (Born 2004 runner-up), Tagum City (Born 2006 runner-up) and Misamis Oriental 9Born 2008 runner-up).

NCR – Caloocan (Born 2004 champion), Manila-UST (Born 2006 champion), Caloocan (Born 2008 champion), Manila-UST (Born 2004 runner-up), Caloocan (Born 2006 runner-up) and Manila-UST (Born 2008 runner-up).

Luzon – Tarlac (Born 2004 champion), Pangasinan (Born 2006 champion), Cavite (Born 2008 champion), Pampanga-Luid (Born 2004 runner-up), Pampanga-Luid (Born 2006 runner-up), Pampanga-Luid (Born 2008 runner-up).

Visayas – Cebu (Born 2004 champion), Cebu (Born 2006 champion), Cebu (Born 2008 champion), Cebu (Born 2004 runner-up), Cebu (Born 2006 runner-up), Ormoc (Born 2008 runner-up).

The PSL has not only strengthened its program, both nationwide and in the international circuit, but it has also bolstered its leadership by tapping PBA legends to run its basketball affairs.

PSL president Cris Bautista tapped PBA Hall of Famer Alan Caidic as commissioner, who was later on joined in by his former Presto teammate, Gerry Esplana to become the deputy commissioner. Caidic was MVP in 1990, the same year Esplana became Rookie of the Year and together, they led the Tiviolis in winning the All-Filipino championship.

Deputy commissioners for different regions were also delegated — Jayvee Gayoso for Luzon, Dondon Hontiveros for the Visayas and PJ Simon for Mindanao.    

"We limited it to eight teams per region to compete in the Regional Finals. There were provinces which underwent qualifying events, yung iba naman, bumuo na lang ng selection nila to represent the province in the Regional Finals," said Caidic. 

"Naglaro sila sa regional finals, then yung mga pumasok, diretso sila sa National Finals. It's very challenging, not just for us, but also for the other teams, logistics, finances and other stuff. But it's worth it."    

From July 7-11, all champions of the different regions will converge to battle it out in the National Finals, which will serve as a qualifying tournament for the first ever Global Championship Challenge, the biggest basketball event to be presented by this fledgling league.

Young Pinoy players competing in under-16, under-18 and under-20 divisions and currently based in the United States, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Thailand will face the best of the best in the nation, representing the Philippines in the three age group categories.

After the Global Championship Challenge, the PSL will then proceed with its nationwide event — the Commissioner’s Cup — which will give a platform to those players who are not under contract either in the amateur, collegiate and professional level.

From August to October, the Commissioner’s Cup will start in Mindanao, then proceed with the Visayas leg and down to the NCR region.

By November, the league wraps up the season with its President’s Cup 2.0, which will stretch all the way to April of 2025.