LGUs field teams in Nokia D-League

MANILA, Philippines - Local government units (LGUs) are also boosting their respective basketball programs by fielding teams in the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League set Dec. 6 at the Jacinto Tiu Gym of the Xavier Sports Center.

Four teams each will belong to La Union (Mayor Pablo Ortega), Olongapo (under Sen. Richard Gordon), Tarlac (Gov. Victor Yap), Cavite (Dasma Mayor Jenny Barzaga, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla and Gen. Trias’ Luis “Jon-jon” Ferrer IV) and Butuan (Jun Cabalan).

Antipolo (Gov. Junjun Ynares) and San Juan (Mayor JV Ejercito) account for one each in the 108-team field of the tournament backed by Nokia Pilipinas and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.

“Local government units have acknowledged the importance of the Nokia NBTC D-League and we thank them for fielding teams again this year,” NBTC director Eric Altamirano said. “Apart from the commercial or private sector sponsors, they are also the backbone of the league.”

“This only shows that a partnership between the private sector and the local government is possible,” Altamirano added on the biggest cast yet for the league as it started with only 29 teams last year.

Other areas in the field are Baguio, Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, Lucena, Bicol, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete, Ormoc, GenSan, Davao, Cagayan, Iligan, Zamboanga, Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Marikina, Pasay/Makati/Taguig, Paranaque and Las Pinas/Muntinlupa.

B-MEG Feeds will back teams in Manila, Batangas, Pampanga, Baguio, Cebu, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Bicol, Davao and Bacolod.The name Magnolia will adorn the teams of Baguio, Iloilo, Davao and Parañaque.

Purefoods-Hormel will be the name of some teams in Pampanga and Batangas while San Mig Coffee backs one team belonging to Pasig/Mandaluyong. Another corporate giant in Smart will be the banner for at least one team in each of the 13 regions as Burlington will carry three teams.

Altamirano said these teams would allow talented players at the 16-and-under bracket to play under a competitive environment while re-learning basketball fundamentals.

“Players from provinces usually suffer from the lack of an adequate training environment so we are helping them and the local government units through this league,”Altamirano added.

Ultimately, tournament is eyeing to be a feeder program for varsity squads and teams catering to leagues such as the UAAP, NCAA, Philippine Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association and the Liga Pilipinas.

Altamirano noted that most players enter the high school and collegiate ranks after being recruited by Manila-based coaches. He added that this is another way for them to be in the spotlight.