Opening more doors for Filipino ballers, the PBA is set to stage the first PBA D-League Showdown later this year.
Players suiting up in the ongoing 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup will have a chance to showcase their talents not just in front of PBA coaches but also scouts from all over the Southeast Asian region in a two-day event.
“They will be watched not just by PBA coaches, but also coaches from other countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam who are getting Filipino imports in their regional leagues,” said PBA officer-in-charge Willie Marcial during the opening ceremonies at Ynares Sports Arena.
The PBA D-League has been a stepping stone for the rookies seeking to make the jump to the pro league over the past seven years.
The league, however, acknowledges that with only a few cracking the roster spots annually, the developmental league also aims to be avenue for other players to make a good impression and earn jobs overseas.
Some players who have seen action in the D-League and are now making their mark in the regional scene are Paul Zamar in Thailand, AJ Mandani in Singapore, and Reil Cervantes in Indonesia.
Though Marcial refused to go into details of the league’s plans, he hopes that the PBA D-League Showdown will motivate the players to perform at their best in the first conference of the eighth season.
“I hope you all do your best,” he ended.