IF you are from Abra and with serious game on the hardcourt, your time to shine has arrived.
To accelerate grassroots development and elevate homegrown talent, the Abra Solid North Weavers are launching a brand-new developmental league designed to give young, aspiring hoopers a platform to showcase their skills.
The 2025 MPBL champions Abra Weavers team owner and the province’s lone district representative JB Bernos told SPIN.ph that while the team already utilizes a solid network of talent scouts, he wants to create a more direct pathway for his kababayans to reach the big leagues.
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“We want to further tap the basketball talents of Abrenians. We have so many talents here, but mostly, our players are not given the chance. Some don’t have the means to go to Manila while some are just too shy,” said Bernos of his league that was officially launched last May 21.
“Since we are in the MPBL and we believe the league’s program is about regional basketball, I told my staff, ‘Bakit hindi tayo gumawa ng liga and hopefully make this a farm league for future talents?’” he added.
In coordination with a network of businessmen from Northern Luzon, he spearheaded the creation of Abra Solid North Weavers DLeague 2026.
Under the current blueprint, locals and players with a direct lineage to the province will be eligible to compete, with games set to be played across various municipalities in Abra.
“Ito ang isang way na nakikita namin para mas tumaas ang level ng basketball sa probinsya namin. Sobrang rabid fans po ng mga taga dito sa amin sa basketball, dindayao nga po kami ng mga sikat na players,” he said.
“So, kung dati nanunuod lang sila ng mga exhibition matches ng mga idol nila, sana balang araw sila na mismo ang makakalaro ng mga favorite superstar players nila,” added Bernos.
He also shared that the organization eventually plans to invite top teams from across the country to play against a selection squad formed from the Weavers DLeague.
Ultimately, Bernos hopes this grassroots initiative creates a ripple effect, encouraging other MPBL franchises to adopt a similar blueprint to expand talent identification nationwide.
“Sana may iba pang MPBL teams ang sumunod sa ganitong sistema. Hindi kasi enough ang maghanap ka. Dapat you find talents and then hone them by exposing them to top-tier leagues, at isa na itong Weavers DLeague,” said Bernos, who bared that their program was inspired by their recent conquest of the Junior MPBL.
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