Next Generation Basketball League Set to Launch in Manila, Aiming to Spotlight High School Talent
MANILA — The Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL), designed to cultivate homegrown basketball talent from high school ranks, is set to commence on August 11 at the Tanduay Gym in Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the tournament director, the league aims to provide a vital platform for high school players to showcase their skills, addressing a gap in exposure that many young athletes face today. Tenorio, who himself progressed from a high school program at San Beda to a successful professional career, highlighted the importance of local development in fostering the country’s next generation of basketball stars. He emphasized that the league would offer significant exposure to the participants, potentially leading to more opportunities at higher levels of play.
The league features a robust organizational team including NGBL Commissioner and PBA legend Ronnie Magsanoc, Executive Committee Chairman Alfrancis Chua of San Miguel, Program Director Bonnie Tan of NorthPort, and Operations Manager Fidel Mangonon III, among others. With this leadership, the NGBL promises to be a competitive and professionally run tournament.
Participating teams include notable educational institutions from the UAAP and NCAA, such as Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, San Beda University, and others. The league will feature two groups participating in a single round-robin elimination phase, with the top four teams from each group moving on to the crossover knockout quarterfinals. The semifinals and finals will also be knockout games, ensuring a high-stakes environment conducive to competitive play.
Games scheduled on Sundays and holidays will take place at the Tanduay Gym, while Saturday games will be hosted at the Aero Center in Quezon City, providing ample opportunities for fans to witness the burgeoning talent firsthand.