THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has approved the application of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) to turn professional.
GAB chairman Baham Mitra made it official on Wednesday during a virtual press conference that was also joined by NBL officials in chairman Celso Mercado, executive vice-president Rhose Montreal, and commissioner Edward Aquino.
The NBL becomes the first men’s professional league that will cater to homegrown talents from the provinces, cities, and municipalities they are representing.
Meanwhile, the WNBL is set to become the first-ever women’s professional league established in the Philippines.
“Basketball is not just only for males. The NBL is also advocating gender equality. If there is a men’s league there is also for women,” said Mr. Mitra.
NBL officials thanked the GAB for approving its application which will give more opportunities to men and women players.
“Just like we envisioned from the beginning, we are now reaping the results,” said Mr. Mercado in Filipino.
“The concept of the league is clear, which is to grow homegrown talents and with us turning professional we believe we can take it further,” he added.
The NBL was created in 2018 with the Parañaque Aces and the Taguig Generals winning the first two seasons. The third season is currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic but the league is planning to stage a bubble in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The WNBL, meanwhile, was established in 2019 with the PSI Lady Air Defenders winning the inaugural season and national team standout Janine Pontejos capturing the most valuable player award.
“Today is a special day for all our homegrown players. Today is the day for women’s players who have been dreaming of playing in a professional women’s league,” said Ms. Montreal.
“I’m lost for words because in our three seasons of handling this homegrown league, we’ve seen athletes from the countryside and the provinces who actually tried their luck to play in Manila but after three or four years, they went back to their respective provinces to play for barangay leagues or governors’ cup. This is a big day not for the NBL but for the player,” she added.
