National Basketball League (Philippines) Explained

National Basketball League (NBL)
Last Season:2023 NBL–Pilipinas Chairman's Cup
Pixels:200
Sport:Basketball
Inaugural:2018
Commissioner:Rhose Montreal
President:Celso "Soy" Mercado
Motto:Ang Tahanan ng Tunay Na Homegrown
Teams:7
Country:Philippines
Continent:FIBA Asia (Asia)
Champion:Taguig Generals (4th title)
Most Champs:Taguig Generals
(4 titles)
Tv:ALIW 23
Website:http://nblp.web.geniussports.com/

The National Basketball League (NBL), also known as NBL–Pilipinas, is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines.

History

On June 7, 2018, Celso "Soy" Mercado established the league and named National Basketball League Philippines to search undiscovered talents.

The league will feature an away-and-home format and will focus on giving homegrown players (aged 18–29 years old and a bonafide resident of the team's province, city or municipality) an opportunity to showcase their skills in the hope of making it to the professional and semi-professional leagues.[1] [2]

The league began its inaugural season on August 25, 2018, with 10 teams from Luzon. Games were played every Saturdays and Sundays.[3] The Parañaque Aces became the league's first champions after defeating the Dasmariñas Ballers in the best-of-three championship round.

In 2019, the league expanded to 15 teams, while two of the founding teams folded (Marikina Shoemakers and Bulacan Makabayan). The Women's National Basketball League began their inaugural season on April 7, 2019.

The league's youth division, named NBL-Youth, began its season on May 20, 2019.

NBL Philippines Season 3 opened November 16, 2019, with 14 teams competing. (only Bulacan, Iriga, Rizal, Zambales, Imus & Cainta begged off from competing, while Marikina Best Shoemakers are returning to the league after a year absence)

On August 26, 2020. The Games and Amusements Board have accepted the NBL and WNBL's application to become a professional league. Both leagues will start its first season as a professional league in 2021.[4]

After getting the green light to start from the Games and Amusements Board, the first professional season of the NBL began on July 18, 2021, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.

Teams

TeamLocalityFirst seasonArenaCapacityTeam Owner / Team Governor Head coach
CamSur Express2018
2022 Chairman's Cup
Fuerte Sports ComplexN/AGov. Luigi Villafuerte / Engr. Solomon Ngo Genesius Molto
Nikkelham Valenzuela Workhorse 2024 President's Cup TBA TBA Jericho AjeroErwin Tangunan
Nueva Ecija Granary Buffalos 2024 President's Cup TBATBAHon. Emmanuel Antonio Umali Marc Lynn Ingusan
Paranaque Smile 3602024 President's Cup San Dionisio GymnasiumN/AMichael Gonzales & Nikko PagsisihanMark Galicia
Taguig City GeneralsTaguig2018Cong. Jun Duenas Gymnasium N/AHon. Lani CayetanoBing Victoria
Tikas Kapampangan 2024 President's Cup Colegio De Sebastian GymnasiumN/AAya GopezGerry Flores
Sulong Zambales @ Batang Gapo2024 President's Cup Subic Sports Complex N/AJessie Gonzales Elgin Espina

Previous teams

TeamLocalityArenaCapacityFirst seasonLast season
Biñan Tatak Gel6,5002023 President's Cup 2023 Chairman's Cup
Bulacan Starks - McDavidBulacanMalolos Sports and Convention Center
STI College Malolos Gym
2,000
1,000
20192019
Bulacan MakabayanBulacanBaliwag Star Arena5,00020182018
Cagayan Valley Water Buffalosnone none2022 President's Cup2022 President's Cup
Cavite BallersCaviteDe La Salle University - Dasmariñas Ugnayang La Salle Gym & Animo Center
Philippine Christian University - Dasmariñas Gym
2,000
3,000
20182019-20 President's Cup
Damayang Filipino Bulacan StarsBulacanBulacan Capitol Gymnasium5,000 20212023 President's Cup
FSD Makati Defenders Makatinonenone2022 President's Cup2022 President's Cup
Imus BandilaImus, CaviteImus Sports Complex1,00020192019
Iriga City OragonsIriga, Camarines SurJesse M. Robredo Coliseum~12,00020192019
San Juan Gymnasium (La Union) N/A2019-20 President's Cup
2022 Chairman's Cup (Rejoined)
2022 Chairman's Cup
Laguna Kings Lagunanone none2022 Chairman's Cup2022 Chairman's Cup
Laguna PistonsSanta Rosa Sports Complex 5,70020182022 President's Cup
Las Piñas Lodis Las Piñasnone none2022 President's Cup2022 President's Cup
Las Piñas Oil MachineLas Piñasnone none2022 Chairman's Cup2022 Chairman's Cup
Lifenet Caloocan ExecutivesCaloocannonenone2019-20 President's Cup2019-20 President's Cup
Luid KapampanganPampangaAUF Sports and Cultural Center
Colegio De Sebastian Gymnasium
2,000
1,400
2023 President's Cup2023 President's Cup
Makati Circus Music Festival 12,0002023 Chairman's Cup2023 Chairman's Cup
Marikina Best ShoemakersMarikinaMarikina Sports Center7,0002018
2019-20 President's Cup (Rejoined)
2018 (Marikina Shoemakers)
2019-20 President's Cup
none none2021 Chairman's Cup2021 Chairman's Cup
Muntinlupa Chiefs nonenone2023 Chairman's Cup 2023 Chairman's Cup
Muntinlupa ConstructiconsMuntinlupanonenone2022 Chairman's Cup2022 Chairman's Cup
Muntinlupa Water WarriorsMuntinlupanone none2021 Chairman's Cup 2023 President's Cup (as Muntinlupa)
Narvacan PanthersNarvacannonenone2022 President's Cup2022 President's Cup
Nueva Ecija BesprenNueva EcijaSan Leonardo Sports Gym5,0002018 (Go Bespren)
2019-20 President's Cup
2018 (Go Bespren)
2019-20 President's Cup
Nueva Ecija Rice MakersNueva EcijaSan Leonardo Sports Gym5,00020192019
One Cainta TitansCainta, RizalOne ArenaN/A20192019
Parañaque Aces Parañaquenonenone20182022 President's Cup
Pasig El Pirata - Jekasa SportswearPasignonenone2019-20 President's Cup2019-20 President's Cup
Rizal NationalsRizalAntipolo Sports Hub90020182019 (only 2 games)
3,00020192022 Chairman's Cup
Pasig Rios - GamevillePasigMetroAsia ArenaN/A20192019
Santa Rosa Eridanus Santa Rosa, LagunaDominican College GymnasiumN/A2023 Chairman's Cup 2023 Chairman's Cup
Santa Rosa LionsSanta Rosa, LagunaSanta Rosa Sports Complex5,7002022 President's Cup2023 President's Cup
Quezon Barons nonenone2021 Chairman's Cup2022 President's Cup
Quezon City All-StarsQuezon Citynonenone2022 Chairman's Cup2022 Chairman's Cup
Quezon City DefendersQuezon CityPhiladelphia High School Gym
Pace Academy Gym
AFP Wellness Center
N/A2019-20 President's Cup2019-20 President's Cup
Quezon City Rising StarsQuezon CityN/AN/A20182019
STAN District 4 Spartans Quezonnone none2021 Chairman's Cup2021 Chairman's Cup
Zambales Converge Fiber X-MenZambalesBotolan People's Plaza1,00020192019
Zambales Eruption nonenone 2023 Chairman's Cup 2023 Chairman's Cup
Zamboanga ValientesZamboanga Peninsulanonenone20192021 Chairman's Cup

NBL Youth teams

10u Teams12u Teams14u Teams16u Teams19u Teams21u Teams
Infinite Basketball Hotshots BasketballInfinite Basketball Alab Knights TGC Aces4 Hoops G Mavs
KBA Luid KapampanganKBA Luid KapampanganKBA Luid KapampanganInfinite Basketball Infinite Basketball Batang Norte
Troodons Sports Pilipinas Infinite Basketball Hotshots Basketball Junior Pistons A2ZSBL CaviteLa Union Paower Hoopers
Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14Lukkas Barber's The Rookie Basketball JILCF Red ArcYengskivel JBZ Zone 14VS Meycauayan
The Rookie Basketball Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14The Rookie Basketball NKT Raging Boyz
Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14Makimira Kool Gals
Muntinlupa

List of champions

Season / TournamentChampionSeriesRunner-UpSeason MVP / Top performerTeam
2018 Parañaque Aces 2–1 Dasmariñas Ballers John Cantimbuhan Dasmariñas Ballers
2019 Taguig Generals 2–0 Shinichi Manacsa Laguna Pistons
2019–20 President's Cup 3–1 La Union PAOwer CJ Gania Converge Pampanga Delta
Pampanga Delta (2) 2–0 La Union PAOwer Muntinlupa Water Warriors
2022 President's Cup Pampanga Delta (3) 2–0 Bulacan DF Republicans Joseph Celso Bulacan DF Republicans
2022 Chairman's Cup Taguig Generals (2) 2–0 La Union PAOwer Jap Pambid La Union PAOwer
2023 President's Cup Taguig Generals (3) 3–0 Luid Kapampangan Lhancer Khan Luid Kapampangan
Taguig Generals (4) 3–0 CamSur Express Lerry John Mayo Taguig Generals

NBL Youth champions

Season / TournamentChampionScoreRunner-UpSeason MVP / Top performerTeam
2019 12U Dasmarinas Monarchs 64–57 Pampanga Jr. Delta N/A N/A
2019 17U Pampanga Jr. Delta 75–64 Dasmarinas Monarchs N/A N/A
2022 14U Pampanga Jr. Delta 69–43 Emeralds Academy N/A N/A
2022 16U 1st Conference United Ballers 76–75 Pampanga Jr. Delta N/A N/A
2022 16U 2nd Conference Emeralds Academy 64–62 Epson EDSCI Green Knights N/A N/A
2022 19U 1st Conference Pampanga Jr. Delta 85–70 Caloocan Yengskivel N/A N/A
2022 19U 2nd Conference Caloocan Yengskivel 93–83 Montalban N/A N/A
2023 10U (Inaugural Tournament – NBL Youth 3rd Conference) Quezon City Troodons 53–28 Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan Crixus Quijano Infinite Basketball
2023 12U (1st Tournament – NBL Youth 2nd Conference) Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan 72–60 Hotshots Basketball Samuel Esomchi Jr. Muntinlupa
2023 12U (2nd Tournament – NBL Youth 3rd Conference) Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan 74–66 Lukkas Barber's Peter Sebastian Ibe Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan
2023 14U 1st Conference Luid ECP KGM Basic Emeralds Academy John Denver Sison Luid ECP KGM Basic
2023 14U 2nd Conference Jr. Muntinlupa Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan Jhelo Lumague Hotshots Basketball
2023 14U 3rd Conference Hotshots Basketball 103–72 Infinite Basketball Cael Barja Hotshots Basketball
2023 16U 1st Conference Microsmith Elite 84–52 McMafie Bruins Jhon Ken Atienza Microsmith Elite
2023 16U 2nd Conference JILCF Red Arc 90–87 EZ Jersey Bruins Erlan John Getigan Yengskivel
2023 16U 3rd Conference Alab Knights 59–56 JILCF Red Arc Erlan John Getigan Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14
2023 19U 1st Conference NAPPCO EZ Jersey Bruins 86–78 JILCF Red Arc Russell Ogana JILCF Red Arc
2023 19U 2nd Conference JILCF Red Arc 72–62 TGC Aces Patrick Rimbao San Ignacio Basketball
2023 19U 3rd Conference TGC Aces 100–99 Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 Matthew Toledo &
Alan Gammuac
TGC Aces
2023 21U 1st Conference JRU Circus Music Festival 90–72 Luid Red Rose RAA Karl Bench De Jesus JRU Circus Music Festival
2023 21U 2nd Conference La Union PAOwer Hoopers 78–74 Quezon City Simos Jessie Boy Pineda La Union PAOwer Hoopers
2023 21U 3rd Conference NKT Raging Boyz 97–91 VS Meycauayan Rhovin Fontanilla La Union PAOwer Hoopers
2024 10U 1st Conference
2024 12U 1st Conference
2024 14U 1st Conference
2024 16U 1st Conference
2024 19U 1st Conference
2024 21U 1st Conference

Official broadcasters

ALIW 23 is the official broadcaster of the NBL Games. Games are also livestreamed via the league's official Facebook and YouTube accounts.

The games were aired internationally via GMA Pinoy TV and streamed on the Net 25 Facebook page during seasons 2 and 3.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boehler. Dave. Another cage league rises: NBL envisions self as 'land of opportunity' for Pinoy ballers. Spin.ph. June 24, 2018.
  2. News: Focus on grassroots as another league set for launch. Spin.ph. August 9, 2018. August 10, 2018.
  3. Web site: Go. Beatrice. National Basketball League opens opportunities for homegrown talents. Rappler. June 24, 2018.
  4. https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/08/26/2038008/first-womens-pro-league-philippines-gets-gab-nod First women’s pro league in Philippines gets GAB nod