23 teams duke it out in PSL National Finals

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 23 regional teams, playing in three different age categories, converge in Manila for the PSL Nationals Finals on July 7-11, each squad determined to wage a chase for the crown which also serves as a ticket to the Global Championship Challenge later in the month.

National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be represented in the PSL Nationals Finals which kick off Sunday at the Victoria Sports in Quezon City.

The PSL National Finals, ushered in by the regional competitions in three divisions – born 2004, born 2006 and born 2008 – is the grassroots program for young players by the Pilipinas Super League under president Cris Bautista with cage legend Allan Caidic as commissioner.

Helping Caidic run the event are deputy commissioners Gerry Esplana for NCR, Jayvee Gayoso for Luzon, Dondon Hontiveros for the Visayas and PJ Simon for Mindanao.

Caidic saw up close and personal the joy and excitement on the faces of the young PSL players.

“When we were in Mindanao, I think it’s MisOr, competing in born 2006, tuwang-tuwa sila kasi yung representing Mindanao sa National Finals, para sa kanila napakalaking accomplishment na noon,” said Caidic.

“Imagine if you win in the national level and you’re going to represent the Philippines (for the Global Games). Yun ang ibinibigay ng PSL dito sa Pilipinas pati na rin sa mga players natin sa ibang bansa.”

Such opportunity was echoed by Simon.

“Mas marami rito yung less fortunate, but you can be sure that yung mga ganyang klaseng bata, makikipagpatayan yan sa laro,” said Simon during his guesting at the PSL National Finals: Meeting The Combatants online interview.