PSAA: New school-based league set to open on March 3 at Ynares Arena

NEW league, new hope for student-athletes.

Count the Philippine School Athletic Association (PSAA) as another school-based basketball league that will guide and give opportunities for Pinoy youth to realize their dream of making it to the Philippine Team and playing in the professional league in the future.

According to PSAA founder and commissioner Fernando Arimado, the league is open to all schools that want to improve their sports program and allow their students to play in a quality and organized league.

“Matagal na po tayong organizer sa basketball league. Yung passion natin sa sports yun ang motivation factor kaya nagpursige kaming mabuo itong PSAA. Maraming eskwelahan ang hindi makalaro sa malalaking torneo tulad ng UAAP at NCAA, kaya naman marami ring talented players ang hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Kaya dito sa PSAA, magagawa nilang ma-expose ang kanilang kakayahan,” said Arimado at the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.

“The PSAA is registered with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) so our teams can be sure that our organization is legit,” Arimado said in the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission.

He said, more than 20 schools have expressed their desire to become founding members of the league, but currently, only Xavier School, Marist Academy, St. Claire, Our Lady of Lourdes, La Salle-Zobel, and San Beda are almost certain to be in the league scheduled to start on March 3.

“The more teams the better, but eight to 12 teams are our ideal participants so that we can finish the league within two to three months,” he said.

The NAMBRO group was chosen by the PSAA to handle the technical management and officiating.

Arnel Mindanao, the league’s marketing director, insisted that organizing a tournament is a heavy responsibility due to the need for large capital, manpower, and logistics aspects.

“Nakakatuwa lang na marami pa rin tayong mga kaibigan na tulad natin ay may passion sa sports particular sa basketball. Magandang opportunity na matulungan ang ating mga Kabataan na makapaglaro sila sa isang organisading liga, at mabigyan sila ng karampatang exposure para maipakita nila ang kanilang mga talento,” said Mindanao, whose two children are both varsity junior members in volleyball and basketball at La Salle.

Mindanao got Solar Sports as a partner for the league’s TV coverage, while one of the sponsors is Sea Shore Resorts located in Laiya, San Juan Batangas.

He said, that apart from basketball, PSAA is also lined up to conduct volleyball, beach volleyball, and athletics.

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. has been invited as the guest of honor to the opening ceremony on March 3 at the Ynares Coliseum in Pasig City. The league is lined up for high school students (boys and girls) in the 18-under class, 16-under, 14-under, and 12-under.