Pilipinas Super League: the next level

The Pilipinas Super League is starting its new season with a barrage of great new moves that will propel it to a whole new level of greatness. Having just completed its 21 and under tournament just before the weekend, PSL has built momentum coming into the opening of its 2024 President’s Cup, which opens in grand fashion on Nov. 9 at the historic Araneta Coliseum. The opening ceremony will have a special performance from music legend Bamboo and Yukii Takahashi. It will also include internationally-renowned cheerleaders Southies All-Stars fresh from an outstanding win at the International Cheer Union World Cup in Korea. Admission is free.

Founded at the end of 2021 as a men’s developmental professional basketball league, PSL has continuously evolved into an exciting staple in local hoops. One of their biggest moves is selecting pro basketball legend Allan Caidic as their new commissioner. The appointment of Caidic, one of the PBA’s 40 greatest players and considered the greatest shooter in Philippine basketball history, came at the same time that the league signed a contract to air its games on IBC-13. The agreement was signed between the government network’s President and Chief Executive Officer Jimmie Policarpio and PSL President Cris Bautista. League games will be seen on IBC every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.

Adding an air of mystery, PSL is set to unveil some of its new teams only at the opening itself. Several new squads from all over the country have joined and are hoping to be in the hunt for a championship when the tournament ends in March.

Behind the scenes, broadcast partner Nudge Productions has been busy sharpening its team’s skills to the public side of PSL. Game commentators include two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Benjie Paras, veterans Randy Sacdalan and Sandy Grumo, Andre Paras, and other reliable PSL broadcasters and coaches like Joel Parcon, Noy Africa, Melo Navarro, Mark Dandan, Jamie Mendejar, Ken Pangilinan. This writer also joins the talent pool for the first time.

Meanwhile, the courtside reporters, those closest to the action, will be a blend of eight experienced PSL on-camera talents and newcomers: Angelika Sarmiento, Sheena Lee, Deniel La Guardia, Janella Manuel, Celeste Gidlayan, Andrea Veloso, Abegail Jajalla and Queenie Manalo. The announcer pool have gone through intensive additional training in preparation for the upcoming season. The league and its television coverage are poised to propel a tipping point to become one of the leading pro basketball in a country swamped with the sport.

All we can say is that Pilipinas Super League has done everything possible to bring the most exciting, professional brand of basketball possible to the fans.