VisMin hoops tournament to launch soon

MANILA, Philippines—Visayas and Mindanao have always been the home of one of the PBA’s best players in its history, and now it will have representation via its own sporting league.

Mindanao-based Vicente Guingona and his group spearheaded the creation of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup that is set to launch earlier next year.

The new league seeks to develop grassroots talents in Visayas and Mindanao as well as hone these players for bigger games ahead.

“History shows that Visayas and Mindanao are home to the best of the best basketball players in the Philippines. These players left an indelible legacy on the court. We are here to honor their legacy by discovering more players from our region and helping these prospects reach greater heights like their predecessors,” said Guingona.

June Mar Fajardo, who has six PBA MVPs, was born and raised in Cebu while the PBA’s previous great center Ramon Fernandez grew up in Leyte.

Other notable basketball players who grew up in Visayas and Mindanao were Dondon Hontiveros, James Yap, Mark Barroca, Francis Arnaiz, and Scottie Thompson just to name a few.

Guingona wishes to fill the void the defunct Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association left when it ceased operation in 2011, two years after it merged with National Basketball Conference to form Liga Pilipinas.

“It has been years since we had our own league here. It’s high time for us to once again showcase what we have in terms of basketball. I believe we can still produce more top-caliber athletes that will leave a mark in Philippine basketball history,” said Guingona.

Teams from Sindangan, Zamboanga, Pagadian, Davao, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Mandaue, Cebu, Iloilo, Dumaguete and Roxas have already signified their intent to join the inaugural season with each team required to have at least six homegrown players in its rosters.

Holding an All-Filipino conference and another featuring foreign players is the goal for the league.

Elimination round games will be confined within their respective areas, waiving the need for long-distance travel.

“The groundwork has already been laid out. We are just waiting for the green light. We can rest assured that the health and safety of the teams and organizers will be of paramount importance,” said Guingona.