EABL Philippine Youth League Invitational in September

ANOTHER window of opportunities for Filipino young hoop players.

The East Asia Basketball League (EABL) will launch the Philippine Youth Basketball League 23-and-Under Open Invitational Conference this coming September 2 at the covered court of Brgy. Jesus Dela Pena Gym in Marikina City.

EABL co-founder and Sports Chief Executive Officer Dr. Norman Afable said on Friday that the new school-based and inter-town league is a breath of fresh air in youth basketball, particularly for out-of-school youth and poor kids who are totally affected by the pandemic.

“Binuo naming ito, tulong-tulong kami sa Executive Committee upang mabigyan ng karagdagang avenue ang ating mga kabataan na maipamalas ang kanilang kahusayan at mabigyan ng pagkakataon para maituloy ang kanilang mga pangarap. Ika na, ‘everyone deserves a second chance’. Mula rito, maaaring maging kinatawan sila ng bansa sa East- Asia Pacific Region league,” said Afable.

“May mga kaibigan tayo sa iba’t ibang bansa na nagpahayag ng kanilang hangarin na makasali sa liga, gayundin ang makahanap ng mga players na puwedeng maglaro sa kanilang mga liga. Kaya malaking oportunidad ito para sa ating manlalarong Pinoy,” he added.

Afable expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his league co-founder Dr. Joseph Ross Jocson, Chairman-Batang Manila, as well as to the other member of the Executive Committee namely Ricky Magallanes, US Based Coach; FIBA International Referee Roger Basillio as league Commissioner, FIBA Referee and Commissioner Reynaldo Manalac, Thailand Based Coach and Commissioner Jojo Castillo, AFP Philippines Coach and Commissioner Sonny Manucat, FIBA International Head Technical and Commissioner Lito Macaspac and Bishop Ceasar Pacis, Missionary Pastor, and Spiritual Leader.

The goal of the league is to discover and shape the talent of young players, especially those out-of-school youth, to be given the opportunity to rise in life and raise their level of knowledge and skills in the basketball field.

For starters, among the teams that answered the challenge were Taytay Smile City, SMASH Navotas, Sta. Rosa Asiatech Jaguars, Makati Selection, RPBY EastDental Clinic Marikina, Fantastic San Pablo City, and MAPUA Cardinal.

Aside from the honor of being the first league champion, also at stake is the P50,000 champion prize, while the runner-up will receive trophies and medals.