MANILA, Philippines - The matches of the Philippine Secondary School Basketball Championship (PSSBC) from the quarterfinals up to the final will be aired on GMA News TV, new league chairman Dioceldo Sy announced yesterday.
“Not only will it add prestige to the tournament but showing the matches on TV will further inspire our budding stars to work harder,†said Sy, chair of Ever Belina and owner of PBA D-League champion Blackwater. “We also hope to help sustain the growth of basketball in the country.â€
Sy said they are eyeing at least three companies to sponsor the TV coverage of the tournament backed by Welcoat Paints, MEC Computers, Wrangler, Hapee Toothpaste, Ironcon Builders, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum and Dickies Underwear.
Meantime, Jose Rizal University took the place of La Salle Greenhills to complete the 10-team cast of the tournament now on its second year.
Aside from JRU, other teams from NCAA are San Beda, Mapua and San Sebastian while representing Tiong Lian are defending champion Hope Christian High School, Xavier School , Chiang Kai Shek College and St. Stephen’s High School.
Only reigning champion National University and Ateneo will compete from UAAP after Far Eastern University and La Salle-Zobel begged off due to their players’ hectic schedule.