Bigger SEAOIL elite league set

MANILA, Philippines - Anticipation is building up for the fifth season of SEAOIL Elite League unfolding in December with over 200 teams expected to join the grassroots tournament backed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

SEAOIL Elite League national training director Alex Compton said they expect 20 cities to join the tournament with over 2,400 high school players along with hundreds of coaches to benefit from the program aimed at developing future stars of Philippine basketball.

“We have identified and confirmed the participation of the cities that are joining the league. This early, we are getting feedback that both players and coaches are excited about the program. They know that this is not just an ordinary league, but that we are committed to developing skills, building character and raising leaders,” said Compton.

Like in the previous editions of the league, Compton said the benefits go beyond the actual participants themselves. “When these players and coaches go back to their localities and schools, we emphasize transferring what they have learned from SEAOIL Elite League to up-and-coming players,” he said.

Joining the International Basketball Academy in this effort is SEAOIL Philippines, a leading independent oil retailer which is in the middle of its three-year sponsorship commitment with the league.

“We are thanking SEAOIL Philippines headed by its president Glenn Yu for keeping their confidence in the ideals that make the SEAOIL Elite League one of the most anticipated events in the Philippine basketball calendar,” Compton said.

The tournament will feature an inter-school tournament per city after which champions will advance to the SEAOIL NBTC Elite League finals in March 2012 in Cagayan de Oro City. Also in the pipeline is the SEAOIL High School All Star showcase tentatively scheduled Feb. 2012 as it will feature the top 24 high school players of the country.