NEW LEAGUE. East Asia Basketball League Chairman Joseph Jocson (with microphone) explains the mechanics of the Under-23 Open Invitational Conference during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports Inc. (TOPS) Usapang Sports at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Friday (Aug. 24, 2023). The tournament offers PHP50,000 to the winning team while the local government unit will also receive the same amount for its grassroots development program. (PNA photo by Jesus M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA – All is set for the East Asia Basketball League (EABL) U-23 Open Invitational Conference which will kick off on Sept. 2 in Barangay Jesus Dela Pena Gym in Marikina City.
Funtastic San Pablo City and RPBY East Dental Clinic Marikina will square off at 4 p.m. to be followed by the game between MAPUA 512 Trading Inc. and Sta. Rosa Asiatech Jaguars at 6 p.m. Smash Navotas will be up against Selection Makati at 8 p.m.
The opening ceremony featuring the parade of muses and a slam dunk contest will be held after the first game.
League chairman Joseph Jocson said the tournament offers PHP50,000 to the winning team while the local government unit will also receive the same amount for its grassroots development program.
“It took us three years to launch the tournament because of the pandemic. We're ready now. Our purpose here is to give our youth the opportunity to develop their skills and fulfill their dream of playing abroad," Jocson said during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Thursday.
He said the Open Invitational Conference is just the start of the league's long-term program with the help of Executive Committee chief Norman Afable and the private sector.
“We’re very thankful to our friends from the seven teams in the U-23 conference and also to sports patron Senator Bong Go,” added Jocson, who was joined in the weekly session by league commissioners Roger Basilio and Ruben Mañalac, finance officer Rudy Mariano and a representative from Navotas team.
The league has its own technical group composed of referees selected through tryouts.
“We invited all the referee groups and associations to the tryouts and we chose the really good ones to ensure that the officiating of the league is done properly and integrity is not compromised," Basilio said in the forum supported by PSC, Behrouz Persian Cuisine and Pocari Sweat. (PNA)
