Everyone plays at "Batang Pilipino Basketball League"

Just got off from the Batang Pilipino Basketball League press conference this afternoon. By any standard, I am so excited about what's going to happen this January 27-28 at 4 different courts in the city of San Juan namely Ronac Art Center, FilOil EcoOil Centre, the San Juan Gymnasium and the Greenhills West Basketball Court in the same area. 

It's a grassroots program initiated by its founders Jun Ebdane and Coach Ron Camara which started October 2020. There's a huge potential in the pool of Filipino youth that still remains untapped and with this program, it'll be an avenue to showcase their talent on the hard court especially in the NCAA, UAAP, PBA and others. They've already held 2 rounds of local games and became champs of their respective regions in order to qualify for this national event. They also have done tryouts for young men and women because they've got separate games for them too. There's also a stark difference with how their version of Basketball is done, because teams must have their players all play once on the court, coaches then can use their best ones in latter quarters hence their tagline "Lahat ng Player Makakalaro, Walang Mababangko!" which means all players will have the chance to have playing time on the court, nobody will be left on the bench.

From a total of 194 different teams composed of 2910 individuals from all over the country, only 500 of them will get the chance to participate in the Finals on January 29 at 4pm. Tickets will be sold at the venue so if you're looking for a place to start for your basketball career, you might just be looking at it.

Aside from that, the league also allows local businesses market their products around venues so they too can earn from the events. Aside from that, they are partnering with the different provinces, local government agencies that help boost tourism in their respective communities to help then grow as a destination. This is just the tip of the iceberg, because they also announced the coming second season which will start around May. So stay tuned for that! 

Meanwhile, here's our interview with them this afternoon as they discussed the challenges they had mounting this league and the upcoming finals where 500 of these athletes will all be flown in to Manila and compete here.

See you on these dates and support your favorite teams! You can also watch it on ABSCBN Sports Youtube Channel and will be streamed live as it happens. See you on the sidelines!

The Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars!

The PBA has been the undisputed number one professional league in the Philippines and probably carries this title also in Southeast Asia. No matter how much they are succeeding in the Philippines and this region, they continue to fight for one thing in particular. It's the thing that they are good at which in this case is Basketball. I remember the time they were holding summer clinics for underprivileged kids/athletes in the metro via Coca Cola Hoopla, but now they are partnering with PBA on this task and dubbing it as the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars! Coca-Cola knows that the PBA is the right agency to hold grassroots programs since they are the authority when basketball is concerned in the country. 

To fill them with love and happiness that they deserve, plus education and camaraderie through sports, they will certainly achieve more if they tie up with institutions like the PBA. In the Philippines, every corner of every street probably has a basketball court and the love, passion for it is unquestionable. Dreaming to play for a professional basketball team is in every mind of a Filipino kid. Commissioner Chito Salud and Powerade Team Governor Mr. Ronnie Asuncion signed a 3 year MOA for Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars league. This will entail youth ages 13 to 16 years old to join the said competition and hold separate regional events throughout the country. Try outs are now currently scheduled with an estimated 3 localities in each region. An estimated 1,500 players this summer will pit against each other and end via a National Finals Game slated May 27, 2012. The tournament will officially open May 2, 2012.

“We are very grateful for this opportunity to reach out to the Filipino youth in collaboration with the country’s premier sports organization. Through the Coca-Cola PBA Young Stars League, we will be able to directly share in the PBA’s vision of encouraging the Filipino youth to become good citizens through sportsmanship, honesty and integrity,” said Powerade Team Governor Ronnie Asuncion.

The Powerade Tigers will also be doing some appearances. PBA will solely handle the league but Coke will  be the sole sponsor, they have started April 21 to April 30 for the tryouts. This is in part of Coca Cola's 100 years celebration in the Philippines.

Although Coke's Hoopla and Batang PBA programs will be gone, this new grassroots program will be integrated to their initiatives. Players will be coming from all over the Philippines. In the Nationals there will be only 2 teams left from NCR, then 1 each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This is a long term partnership thrust of the two entities to promote healthy, active living to the youth; as well as build values of sportsmanship, honesty and integrity. Congratulations to the Philippine Basketball League and Coca Cola for this wonderful project!

 

Powerade Team Governor Mr. Ronnie Asuncion, Nicky Lee the Brand Manager of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation and PBA Commissioner Chito Salud congratulates each other after signing the MOA last Tuesday.

Here are more photos from the event. Credits on photo:

Coca-Cola joins forces with PBA to inspire Young Stars

Powerade Team Governor Ronnie Asuncion with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.

Powerade Team Governor Ronnie Asuncion, Coke Zero Brand Manager Nikki Lee with PBA Commissioner Chito Salud.

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For more information



Contact your local government units for try out schedules in your area


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Coca-Cola President for Happiness