PYBC to put emphasis on use of metrics

MANILA, Philippines -- The inaugural season of the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) is set to tip off next month, in a bid to help young players “expose their talent and skills, and not just wait for coaches to find and discover them.”

The PYBC, which will feature Under-11 (Born 2014), Under-13 (Born 2012) and Under-15 (Born 2010) divisions, will run from September 2025 to early 2026.

According to PYBC commissioner Benjie Paras, the league will employ the use of data and analytics to make the players better.

“In today’s technology, this is what players need. Data and analytics help players to work harder, play harder, and also build their confidence,” Paras said.

The league will provide teams with halftime analysis for real-time performance evaluation, post-game performance reports with detailed analysis, statistical review of player performance, strengths, and growth areas, and advanced analytics and performance metrics.

It will also use player ranking per age group in the country, the first in the Philippines, and the league will utilize this by adopting a system that is used both in the US and Europe.

These, according to Paras, are all for the PYBC’s mission to provide a better pathway for the Philippines’ next crop of aces in the sport.

“With the help of PYBC, and with deputy commissioner Pao [Layug] and tournament director Carl [Villanueva,] we will do all that we can for these players to shine, to do well, and to be noticed. Yun talaga ang pinaka-goal namin,” he said.

“Step-by-step ito. Kailangan mong tapusin yung high school and prove yourself, then ang aim naman is yung collegiate and then National team. Tuloy-tuloy na yun, hindi mo maaalis sa mga bata yan,” he added.

“So kailangan nating ma-guide sila ng tama."

The tournament will have a single-round elimination, and the qualified teams will advance into the quarterfinals. The winning teams will then enter the knockout semifinals, and eventually the Best-of-3 Finals.