Three foreign teams mixed it up against homegrown squads in the National Youth Basketball League (NYBL) Philippines 1.0 Edition Invitational Youth Championships which fires off from July 10 to 14 at the Lourdes School gymnasium in Mandaluyong City.
NYBL president Fernando ‘Butz’ Arimado said teams from Dubai, Saudia Arabia, and Mongolia are confirmed to participate in the four-day pocket tournament leading to the championship next month.
The league comprises four age brackets, 17-under, 15-under, 13-under, and 11-under.
“Parang pampagana lang muna ito at preparation na rin ng ating mga players para sa gagawin nating mas malaking tournament next week,” said Arimado during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room inside the famed Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.
“Yung passion natin sa basketball at misyon nating matulungan ang mga Kabataang Pinoy na mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makalaro sa malaking liga ang motivation natin para ipagpatuloy ang NYBL at salamat naman sa Diyos ang maging sa abroad ay recognized na rin tayo,” said Arimado in the forum backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine and Pocari Sweat.
Arimado was joined in the program by Pasig Mighty Juggernauts coaches Jaymee Roxas, Ryan Bautista, and team owner Jillian Roxas; Antipolo Skip Basketball squad coach Cindrey Balignasay and NYBL marketing Director Donnah Dela Cruz.
“This is our way to help the youth in our barangay to build character. Yung mailayo sila sa mga bisyo at makakuha ng scholarship through basketball ay malaking achievement na para sa aming organisasyon,” said Jillian Roxas.
Roxas said half of the team’s line-up is from De La Salle-Greenhill’s making the Might Juggernauts a heavy favorite alongside San Beda College.
“Yung amin kasing community may connection sa La Salle-Zobel in terms of students relationship, dahil ilan na rin sa mga players naming ang naging scholar sa eskwelahan,’ said coach Roxas.
Other participating teams are Montalban, Bataan, Extreme Defense, Siklab Bataan, RPBC, Tipas, and Locked-In.
Photo: (from left) Mighty coach Jayvee Roxas, NYBL president Butz Arimado, team owner Jillian Roxas, marketing director Donnah Dela Cruz, Skip coach Cindrey Balignasay, and asst, coach Ryan Bautista.
