PCBL chairman has bright vision for Cebu basketball

CEBU, Philippines - The ardent desire of Pilipinas Commercial Baskeball League chairman Buddy Encarnado to bring the PCBL to the countryside specifically here in Cebu got a big boost after what he described as a highly productive meeting with TV5 Sports Executive Patricia Hizon.

"As we endeavor to bring PBCL to the coutryside, we hope to have TV5 as our television partner," said Encarnado. "The meeting went well and it was very productive. I just have to finalize some details to make sure that everything is in place before I will present the matter to the PCBL Board during our meeting next week."

   Encarnado said the plan is to bring at least four teams in Cebu to play bearing games kicking off PCBL's 3rd Conference tentatively on October 21-23 either at the Cebu Coliseum or at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.

To ensure fairness among  its members, Encarnado said the teams that will be coming over will be determined via raffle.

Encarnado said creating an expansion of PCBL outside of Metro Manila is part of their noble motivation to develop homegrown talents and eventually produce national team players from the provinces.

"So far, everything is turning according to our vision," said Encarnado. "It's high time that we will revive the days when we produce basketball stars out of homegrown talents."

  Encarnado recalled that when he was chief executive of the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the PBA some years back, they recruited players from the provinces most notable among are from Cebu including Dondon Ampalayo, Apet Jao, Max Delantes, Boy Cabahug,  Zaldy Realubit and Jojo Tangkay to name a few.

"Sadly, gone are the days when we created heroes out of our kids from the provinces. That is now my advocacy," said the former PBA boss.

   That is the main reason why Encarnado strongly pushes for the expansion of PCBL in Cebu and mostly probably in Leyte and in other areas of Mindanao in the future.

  "Basketball is my life. I've been to it for the past 34 years already," said Encarnado. "I have a vision for Cebu. I want Cebu to continue to perform its role of contributing something to Philippine sports by producing basketball stars out of homegrown talents. I stake my reputation on this." (FREEMAN)