It’s all systems go for the staging of the newest cage league in town, dedicated to basketball-loving Filipinos.
Businessman/sportsman Jun Valenzuela, multi-titled amateur/commercial leagues’ coach Pablo Lucas and sports enthusiast Francis Dayrit, all chief architects in building the foundation of the unique basketball league, recently launched Bagong Basketball ng Masa (BBM)-Liga para sa Pilipinas, which is set to kick off in the last quarter of this year.
“It is a unique league for a cause. Our advocacy is to give an opportunity to young potential cagers especially in the countryside. They only need to be discovered to fulfill their dreams of a bright basketball career in the future. This is also a chance for adult cagers to get back and prove their worth in the hardcourt,” said Valenzuela, a former commercial player at home and in the United States during his prime before venturing successfully into business. “This league is a long vision program as I’m optimistic that with strong will to succeed, unity and dedication, we will surely get there.”
Lucas, a former PCU Dolphin standout and D-League and PSL mentor, said the BBM league is a unique 29- under, regional LGU and corporate-backed basketball year-round tourney with a maximum 10 teams in the initial staging, where young potentials and adult players are allowed to see action in their respective teams.
“It’s all systems go! Bagong liga, bagong oportunidad para sa masang basketbolista,”said Lucas at the launching, also attended by secretariat head Nelson Galang, basketball operation in charge Jeff Murillo with ex-PBA star cager Ed Cordero and marketing strategist (spokesperson) Gigi Borja.
“Napapanahon ang pagkakatatag ng liga na may inspirasyong hugot sa liderato ng bansang may tunay na malasakit sa larangan ng sports particularly basketball. Take note, our new league is apolitical,”said Borja.
Basketball patriarch Valenzuela, father of three young varsity players here (Daniel, Vinci, and Jared) cannot just resist the urge in helping the sport closest to his heart to get it back on its feet after being ravaged by the pandemic.
“Let’s all contribute for nation rebuilding in our own humble way, make way for Bagong Basketball ng Masa Para sa Pilipinas!,” he said.