PHILIPPINE basketball icon LA Tenorio is optimistic that the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) will help high school hoopers' growth.
Before he became the PBA’s ‘Iron Man,’ an eight-time champion, a four-time Finals MVP, and a Gilas Pilipinas standout, the Barangay Ginebra star honed his skills with the San Beda Red Cubs under legendary high school coach Ato Badolato.
READ: Former Red Cubs Tenorio, Esplana lead tribute to coach Ato Badolato
That is exactly why Tenorio, now the NGBL’s Tournament Director, wants the present crop of juniors stars to have a platform to showcase their skills outside the top leagues that already exist.
“We promise everyone the exposure kasi napakalaking bagay ng exposure sa high school players. Ako, galing ako sa high school program ng San Beda. Napakalaking bagay ng homegrown na galing high school,” he said.
“Hindi katulad ngayon na halos karamihan ng collegiate stars, galing abroad.”
Tenorio went on to win it all with San Beda and eventually made himself one of the most sought-after high school recruits before committing to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with whom he also won a UAAP championship.
His path to success is what the NGBL is looking to offer for the best Under-19 stars of today.
“Ngayon kasi, nawawalan na ng opportunities yung mga homegrown high school players. Why? Because of the lack of exposure. Kulang na kulang. Pero I truly believe na marami tayong talent dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.
Tenorio, alongside NGBL commissioner and PBA legend Ronnie Magsanoc, executive committee chairman and San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua, program director and NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan, and operations manager and PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, will be overseeing the league which is set to feature the Philippines' top 15 juniors teams.
A constellation of rising stars
Ateneo, FEU, National U, UE, and University of Santo Tomas will headline the UAAP side of the league that also has Bigboy Cheng and Eric Ang as executive committee members and head of the production and finance groups, respectively,
Arellano, JRU, LPU, La Salle Green Hills, Letran, Mapua, Perpetual, and San Beda then comprise the NCAA squads.
Also among the participants of the league opening on August 11 at the Tanduay Gym in Manila are Xavier School and MGC New Life Christian Academy. All Sunday and holiday games will be held in the same venue.
At stake in the inaugural NGBL, which will be holding its Saturday games at the Aero Center in Quezon, is a Php 300, 000 cash prize.
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