Another thrilling basketball tournament will entertain Ilonggos and neighboring provinces as the first Iloilo Youth Basketball League (IYBL) kicks off on April 1, 2022.
In partnership with St. Robert’s International Academy (SRIA) and Elite Lab, a total of 14 powerhouse teams will try to eke-out each other to claim the first and coveted IYBL title.
The competing teams include St. John Institute, Tay Tung High school, and KD SBB Scorpions from Negros Occidental; Jalandoni Memorial NHS Panthers, Hunters A and B, Rooks, Westbridge Voyagers, Team Pototan, Bolilao, Stoneford, Toto Tia Ten/XYZ, Bingbong Conlu Basketball Center, and Conce Crita Villa from Iloilo.
The opening game will tip-off at SRIA covered gym starting at 1 p.m. All teams coming from Iloilo and Negros Occidental will be present as it will be followed by series of matches.
According to Tournament Commissioner Ronnie Degala, the event aims to provide an avenue for aspiring ballers to showcase their talents, as well as to help the youth in character building, help them meeting new friends and acquaintances in other parts of the region while developing their basketball skills.
“We look forward that through this tournament with the help of media partner, a player or two will be discovered and given the opportunity to study free while being a student athlete,” he shared.
For Eugene Chua of Elite Lab, he said the have partnered with IYBL because he sees the tournament as a breeding ground for future basketball stars.
“Because nakita ko na ito ang right venue to discover our young talents. After two years natigil ang basketball, ang mga kabataan ang tunay na naapektuhan ng pandemya so with this IYBL, I’m sure mapagpapatuloy natin ang sports development para sa kabataan,” Chua explained.
Meanwhile, prior to the matches, the team will be bracketed into two and each bracket will play under a round robin system. The top to teams in each bracket will go to the semifinals where Top 1 in Bracket A will face Top 2 in Bracket B and Top 1 in Bracket B will play against Top 2 in Bracket A. The winners in each bracket will go to the finals and the loser will play for third place.IMT Sports
