The stage is set for the start of the fifth season of the United Basketball League this Sunday at the Systems Plus Computer College in Caloocan City.
Former professional cager Allan Salangsang will serve as commissioner and will banner the unveiling of the league that caters to young players who want to take their games to the next level.
Salangsang, who played for Philippine Basketball Association teams like TNT Tropang Giga, Ginebra, Coca-Cola and Rain or Shine, stressed that there will be a total of 42 squads that will be culled from different age divisions.
These teams will vie in various age brackets from 13-under to 21-under.
Among the teams that have already confirmed their participations are Philippine Christian University-Wang’s Sports, Blue Panther, Hustle by DMC Sportswear, Bomber, PCAF, SPCC Blue Panthers, Pace Academy, National University-MOA, Brotherhood, Spring Oil, Mighty Warriors, Disciples, MBC, Aspirants Basketball, Supremo, Pheno Ballers, Triple J Basketball, Manila Braves, Skilled Hoops and EDSCI Green Knights.
Salangsang also disclosed their plan of staging a regional basketball event for young players and an invitational international event in the future.
“We’re excited for our fifth season,” said Salangsang, who won gold medals for the country in the 22nd and 24th Southeast Asian Games in 2003 and 2007.
“We just want these young players to raise their game to the next level and help them prepare for the different league’s they’ll be joining.”
Previously, teams from the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association took part in Season 4 and Salangsang is expecting school-based teams to participate at the last minute.
Helping out Salangsang in running the affairs of the UBL is former PBA referee Joel Ngo, who will serve as the league’s technical director.