BUHAY at positibo ang hinaharap ng professional sports sa gitna ng banta ng coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

At sa isang tapik sa balikat sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng pro league, kasaysayan ang hatid sa desisyon ng National Basketball League (NBL) at counterpart na Women’s NBL na umakyat ng status bilang pinakabagong basketball pro league sa bansa.

Bukas kamay na tinanggap ni Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra sa ginanap na media conference via zoom nitong Miyerkoles ang pormal na pagsumite ng dalawang liga bilang pinakabagong sanctioned pro league sa bansa.

'Iconic women!' Pinakamalaki at pinakamaliit na babae sa buong mundo, nagkita!

“I’m very happy that NBL is turning pro, giving more basketball players especially homegrown talents opportunities to play professionally,” pahayag ni Mitra.

“Glad that there will finally be a women’s pro league in the Philippines, giving women’s players opportunities after graduating in college leagues. It’s about time for Philippine basketball to be a gender-neutral sport,” sambit ng dating Palawan Governor at Congressman.

Iginiit ni Mitra ang kahalagahan na maisailalim sa regulasyon at kapangyarihan ng GAB ang mga liga, higit at tunay na nilugmok ng lockdown dulot ng coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ang lahat ng sector at industriya kabilang na ang sports.

Ayon kay Mitra, nakatakdang makipagpulong ang mga kinatawan ng GAB medical, legal at pro games division sa mga opisyal at kinatawan ng mga miyembrong koponan ng NBL at WNBL para mailahad ang mga itinakdang rules and regulation, gayundin ang health and safety protocols na sinang-ayunan ng Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) batay sa isinumiteng Joint Administrative Order (JAO) ng GAB, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at DOH.

“Natupad na po ang pangarap natin na maging isang professional league na ang NBL,” pahayag ni NBL Commissioner at WNBL Vice President for basketball Operation Edward Aquino

“NBL and WNBL are the country’s first homegrown basketball leagues. Thank you, GAB. This move will help the league and its stakeholders in discovering and honing homegrown talents nationwide. Work hard to improve the NBL with the league now turning pro,” sambit naman ni NBL executive vice president Rhose Montreal.

“Happy for the NBL players that they will be able to achieve their dream of playing professional basketball. Ever since NBL was established, it was also a dream to also create a women’s league to give Filipina ballers exposure. Happy for the women’s basketball players that they will now have an opportunity to extend their careers,” aniya.

“Excited with the league turning pro. Even with the move to turn pro, we will not veer away with the concept that made the NBL successful which is to give exposure to homegrown talents. The leagues aim to help Filipino athletes to have a steady source of income amid the coronavirus pandemic,” ayon naman kay NBL Chairman Celso Mercado.

Itinatag ang NBL noong 2018 na may konseptong ang bawat koponan na kinatawang lalawigan, munisipalidad at lungsod ay kailangang binubuo ng mga homegrown players. Umabot sa ibang bansa ang liga dahil sa Solar Sports coverage at social media.

Ang Paranaque Aces at Taguig Generals ang unang dalawang kampeon. Sa ikatlong season na nabinbin dahil sa COVID-19 kabuuang 14 team ang lalahok kabilang ang Pampanga Delta, Camsur Express, La Union Power, Zamboanga Valientes, Muntinlupa Emeralds, Cavite Ballers, Pasig El Pirata, Quezon City Defenders, Laguna Pistons, Nueva Ecija Besprens, Caloocan Executives, at Marikina Best Shoemakers.

Sinimulan naman ang WNBL makalipas ang isang taon at ang PSI Lady Air Defenders ang inaugural champion. Kasabay nito, inilatag din ng liga ang NBL Youth bilang grassroots development program.

Kamakailan, umakyat na rin sa pro league ang Chooks-to-Go 3x3 basketball, sa pangangasiwa ni Commissioner Eric Altamirano.