GAB accepts NBL and WNBL as newest pro leagues

THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on Thursday announced that commercial leagues National Basketball League (NBL) and its counterpart Women’s NBL has turned professionals.

Mitra said the decision of the two leagues to be under regulated and sanctioned by the government is a shot in the arms in pro sports amids lockdown due to community quarantine caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I’m very happy that NBL is turning pro, giving more basketball players especially homegrown talents opportunities to play professionally,” said Mitra.

“Glad that there will finally be a women’s pro league in the Philippines, giving women’s players opportunities after graduating in college leagues. It’s about time for Philippine basketball to be a gender-neutral sport,” added the former Palawan Governor and Congressman.

Mitra had joined league officials and team representatives during media announcement via zoom on Wednesday and expressed his elation on the decision which he claimed ‘the right decision’ to pursue the leagues’ motto ‘Ang Tahanan ng Tunay Na Homegrown’.

Mitra said he immediately tasked officials of GAB medical, legal and pro games division to sit down with league officials and teams representative to discuss several issues including GAB’s rules and regulation, and health and safety protocols approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) under Joint Administrative Order (JAO) endorsed by GAB, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at DOH.

“Natupad na po ang pangarap natin na maging isang professional league na ang NBL,” said NBL Commissioner and WNBL Vice President for basketball Operation Edward Aquino.

“NBL and WNBL are the country’s first homegrown basketball leagues. Thank you, GAB. This move will help the league and its stakeholders in discovering and honing homegrown talents nationwide. Work hard to improve the NBL with the league now turning pro,” added NBL executive vice president Rhose Montreal.

“Happy for the NBL players that they will be able to achieve their dream of playing professional basketball. Ever since NBL was established, it was also a dream to also create a women’s league to give Filipina ballers exposure. Happy for the women’s basketball players that they will now have an opportunity to extend their careers.”

“Excited with the league turning pro. Even with the move to turn pro, we will not veer away with the concept that made the NBL successful which is to give exposure to homegrown talents. The leagues aim to help Filipino athletes to have a steady source of income amid the coronavirus pandemic,” quipped NBL Chairman Celso Mercado.

The NBL was established in 2018 with a home-and-away format with homegrown players representing their provinces, municipalities and cities. The Paranaque Aces and Taguig Generals were the past two season champions.

A total of 14 teams – Paranague Aces, Taguig Generals, Pampanga Delta, Camsur Express, La Union Power, Zamboanga Valientes, Muntinlupa Emeralds, Cavite Ballers, Pasig El Pirata, Quezon City Defenders, Laguna Pistons, Nueva Ecija Besprens, Caloocan Executives, and Marikina Best Shoemakers — were included in the coming third season.

The WNBL which was established a year after the men’s league was the first professional women basketball league in Philippine sports history.

Recently, GAB accepted the application of Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Philippines as pro league.