NBL looks forward to Cebu team

CEBU, Philippines —  The National Basketball League looks forward to having a Cebu team in its fold saying that it would be a great addition to the growing NBL family.

Talks of putting up a Cebu squad in the two-year-old NBL have been initiated recently by decorated Cebuano coach Chelito Caro and former PBA star now Cebu City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros.

Established by Celso “Soy” Mercado in June 2018, the NBLis a regional cage league aimed at showcasing the skills of homegrown talents all over the country. 

Caro said they plan to name the team Gems after that of the Cebu Gems in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) but they have to ask permission first from the Cebuana Lhuillier management, which owns the rights of the Gems.

 NBL Pilipinas, Inc. executive vice president Rhose Montreal said the entire NBL family welcomes the intent of Cebu team join the league, which takes pride as the ‘Tahanan ng Tunay na Homegrown (The Home of True Homegrown)’.

“We know that having a Cebu team will add competitive spirit and more excitement in the league. (Dondon) Hontiveros as team consultant definitely will be a big factor specially he’s one of the few Cebuanos who made a name in the basketball industry,” said Montreal.

Right now, the NBL has 14 teams. These are the Paranaque Aces, Cam Sur Express, Taguig Generals, La Union PAOwer, Nueva Ecija Besprens, QC Defenders, Laguna Pistons, Zamboanga Valientes,Converge Pampanga Delta, Cavite Ballers, Marikina Best Shoemakers, Lifenet Caloocan Executives, Muntinlupa Emeralds, and Pasig El Pirata-Jekasa Sportswear.

In a related development, Montreal said the NBL and the Women’s NBL as well have applied for pro status before the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

GAB chairman Baham Mitra confirmed to The Freeman that the NBL has already submitted a letter of intent about its plan.

“I’ll meet with them to study their technical/financial capabilities and persuade them about no competition with other leagues by asking them to hold events in different venues, different networks and schedules,” said Mitra.

Montreal has earlier clarified though that they are not going against the other leagues specifically the PBA since the NBL is a community-based using the home-and-away format similar to the old MBA.

“We’re, in fact, complimentary to the PBA. The PBA is Team A while us in the NBL are regional,” Montreal said in a report by The Philippine STAR.