NEW LEAGUE. Philippine School Athletic Association (PSAA) founder and commissioner Fernando Arimado (center) explains the concept of the league during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) "Usapang Sports" forum at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Thursday (Jan. 18, 2024). With him are TOPS secretary Edwin Rollon (left) of Metropoler and PSAA marketing director Arnel Mindanao. (PNA photo by Jean Malanum)
MANILA – The Philippine School Athletic Association (PSAA) is hoping to identify young and talented basketball players by staging an age group tournament set to start on March 3 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The competition is open to private and public school students in the 18-under, 16-under, 14-under and 12-under categories.
“We have been organizers in basketball league for a long time. Our passion for sports is the motivation factor, so we persevered to form this PSAA. Many schools are unable to play in big tournaments like the UAAP and NCAA, which is why many talented players are not given the opportunity. So here at PSAA, they will be able to expose their skills," PSAA founder and commissioner Fernando Arimado said during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) "Usapang Sports" forum on Thursday.
“PSAA is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so the teams are sure that our league is legitimate," he shared during the weekly session held at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Arimado noted that Xavier School, Marist Academy, St. Claire, Our Lady of Lourdes, La Salle-Zobel, and San Beda University have already registered while 20 more schools have expressed their interest in joining.
“The more teams the better. But eight to 12 teams are our ideal participants so that we can finish the league within two to three months," he added.
PSAA tapped the National Amateur Basketball Referee Organization (NABRO) to handle the officiating of the games, which will be covered live by Solar Sports.
Meanwhile, league marketing director Arnel Mindanao acknowledged the huge responsibility of organizing a tournament due to manpower and logistics.
Aside from basketball, the league also plans to include volleyball, beach volleyball, and other sports in the future. (PNA)
