3 teams join PBA D-League, bolt PBL

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA Developmental League takes off next month with 14 teams seeing action, including three which broke away from the Philippine Basketball League, signaling the demise of what was once the country’s premier amateur commercial league.

Cobra Energy Drink, Pharex and Café France jumped over to the D-League hours after PBL officials graced the PSA Sports Forum Tuesday announcing the league will resume in March after a one-year absence.

At presstime, Cebuana Lhuillier and Freego Jeans also confirmed its participation in the PBA farm league, bringing to 14 the total number of teams seeing action in what could emerge to be the new premier amateur hoop.

Cobra, through coach and head of operations Lawrence Chongson, was first to join the D-League, submitting the requirement plus the advanced payment of tournament fee of P300,000 at around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Pharex, whose officials Ding Camua and Jean Alabanza also graced the PSA Forum, joined Cobra in the D-League about two hours later. Café France followed suit.

“Our gentleman’s agreement with them is that we’ll run the league’s operation if they can present us at least six teams. We’ll not be involved in recruiting teams. If we don’t have six teams, then that’s the end of our agreement,” said Nolan Bernardino of Sports Vision, who’s supposed to be the new PBL commissioner.

“If ever, the PBL died in their hands, not in us,” added Bernardino.

“We really wanted the PBL to be revived. But it’s just hard to form the group,” said Chongson.

“We can’t be faulted. In the first place, we’re not among the PBL pioneers. We’re only remnants but we exerted efforts in a bid to keep the league alive,” Chongson added.

It was announced in the Forum that Cobra, Pharex, Excelroof, FCA-Ani Agrinurture and Café France have confirmed participation in the PBL.

It turned out Ani Agrinurture has long decided to play in the D-League.

Powerade, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Tollways, Black Water/Ever Bilena, City of Antipolo, Handyfix/Max Bond, Pacific Pipes and PC Gilmore complete the D-League cast.

“It’s a go. Eleven teams have affirmed their intentions to be part of our latest endeavor,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

The D-League, filling the vacuum left open by the PBL, opens March 12 at The Arena in San Juan.

Owned by Coca-Cola Bottler Phils. Inc., Powerade will be represented by the University of the Philippines’ Fighting Maroons and will be coached by Ricky Dandan.