Nike summer league unfolds

MANILA, Philippines – The Nike Summer League (NSL) kicks off today at the Far Eastern University Gym, again providing cagers from high school and college teams in Manila the chance to showcase their basketball skills.

“Considered the ‘developmental league’ for the future stalwarts of Philippine basketball, the Nike Summer League reflects the Company’s continued commitment to propagate and further secure the future of Philippine basketball. With the NSL, we are able to give total support to basketball at all levels: from the grassroots to the professional,” said Nike Philippines country marketing manager, Mae Dichupa.

A total of 48 teams are expected to battle it out in the hard court during the playoffs that will run for over a month.

The opening game pits NSL 2008 and UAAP Season 71 champion Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) against underdog Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines secretary general Tanny Gonzalez heads the 2009 tourney.