All news tagged SBP

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is set to begin team practice on November 18 as preparation for the first window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The national team will undergo a 10-day training camp before kicking off their qualifying campaign on November 28 against Guam in Mangilao, Guam. The second leg will take place on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym inside Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

This marks the first reunion of the Gilas squad since the FIBA Asia Cup held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Gilas is expected to hold practices either at the Blue Eagle Gym—to familiarize with the game venue—or at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, a regular training hub for the team in previous camps.

The lineup is expected to be complete by the start of training, as overseas-based players are allowed to return home to represent the Philippines in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments

The Perpetual Altas asserted their dominance with a 75-65 victory over the Mapua Cardinals in NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball action.

Perpetual displayed poise and defensive discipline throughout the game, limiting Mapua’s key scorers and converting crucial baskets in the final stretch to secure the win.

Patrick Sleat led the charge for Perpetual, delivering an all-around performance with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks—earning Best Player of the Game honors. His steady play on both ends anchored the Altas as they maintained control from start to finish.

The Altas established a slim 38-34 halftime lead and continued their strong play in the second half, capitalizing on Mapua’s turnovers and tightening perimeter defense to keep the Cardinals at bay.

With balanced scoring and relentless hustle, Perpetual maintained composure as Mapua attempted several comeback runs late in the game. The Altas’ collective effort proved too much for the Cardinals, who struggled to find rhythm offensively.

This victory improves Perpetual’s standing in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament as they fight for a spot in the upper half of the standings. Meanwhile, Mapua looks to regroup and regain momentum in their next outing.

The UAAP Season 88 basketball tips off this Saturday, following a Paskuhan-inspired grand opening at UST. 

League commissioner Jai Reyes announced the adoption of FIBA standards in officiating, with a pool of international-level referees and the innovation of mic’d-up officials for assessment and grading. 

"I'm proud to say that we are having in our pool most of the FIBA referees that represent the Philippines in international competitions. One exciting development would be we would be mic'ing up our referees not yet for broadcast purposes."  Reyes said. "

Reyes aims to elevate both officiating and game quality across the league.

"We want our referees to be just like our players for them to improve yearly so we can make our product on the court the best as possible," he added.

Men’s basketball opens September 20 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, featuring FEU vs. Ateneo and Adamson vs. DLSU. 

The women’s division starts September 24, highlighted by Ateneo-UE and UP-Adamson matchups.

"Last year we ventured out and said, 'Let's put together a batch of homegrown correspondents, eight correspondents from all eight schools.' We're happy to note, we'll get to do that again," Cignal Sports Content Head Mico Halili said during the press conference. 

The UAAP continues its all-homegrown coverage initiative, with student correspondents from each member school and the debut of four new analysts—Camille Clarin, Jed Colonia, Paul Zamar, and Kenneth Tuffin—ensuring broad school representation on the broadcast panel.

"And because students from school saw that their classmates or batchmates and schoolmates were covering for UE, and NU, and Adamson, we saw an upsurge in the number of applicants who auditioned this year," he added.

With improved officiating, stronger student involvement, and fresh analyst insights, UAAP Season 88 promises to deliver a dynamic and elevated basketball experience for fans.

Meanwhile, UAAP representatives stressed the importance of proper medical testing and clearance for student-athletes before competition. 

While equipment and facilities are in place, organizers underscored that diligence over “each and every line” of safety protocols remains a priority.

“These are the minimal requirements. Documentation that student-athletes have either taken tests or have been cleared fit to play is essential. We just want to make sure everything is in order.”  said Atty. Saguisag. 

Beyond safety, excitement is also building for the new season’s sporting calendar, particularly in men’s volleyball. The league confirmed that Season 88 will feature guest teams and an expanded volleyball competition under the banner of the International Men’s Volleyball Championship.

“We are excited because this is the best of the best,” Atty. Saguisag added “Even during the opening, we want to bring the level of competition higher. I cannot imagine the energy this will bring to UAAP campuses.”

With Season 87 considered historic, UAAP leaders are determined to push Season 88 “to another level”

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag announced that, beginning Season 89, schools will be permitted to include up to two foreign student-athletes (FSAs) in their team pools for all sports.

“This was approved this year and, like all our rules, will take effect the following season — so starting UAAP Season 89,” Saguisag said in a statement. 

Under the new rule, only one FSA can be on the active roster, with the other on reserve.

Previously, teams were limited to a single FSA. The change aims to provide roster security—especially after instances like National University being left without an FSA due to injury—while maintaining competitive balance. 

“For all sports, teams can have two foreign student-athletes in their pool, but only one can be part of the active roster at a time, with the other on reserve,” he added.

The rule takes effect next year, as UAAP Season 88 kicks off this week. 

The UAAP is exploring ways to compress its men’s basketball Season 88 second-round schedule to help Gilas Pilipinas prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. 

League officials are considering options such as quadruple-headers to finish the season by late November, similar to adjustments made in 2019 for the SEA Games.

"[UAAP Executive Director] Rebo [Saguisag] and I recently met with the SBP executive director [Erika Dy] on ways to maybe finish the UAAP basketball tournament early so that UAAP players can participate in the SEA Games. There will be a decision soon." said the FEU representative to the Board of Managing Directors

UAAP vice president Mark Molina said the league is coordinating with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to support the national team. 

"We always communicate to the SBP that the UAAP is always willing and ready to help the national team in all levels," Molina said.

The compressed schedule would allow select UAAP standouts, including Veejay Pre, to join Gilas preparations ahead of the SEA Games basketball tournament, which tips off December 13. 

Gilas coach Norman Black is expected to finalize his 12-man roster soon as the Philippines aims to maintain its regional basketball dominance.

The reigning UAAP champions University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons got a timely boost from two of their former stars during their recent training camp in South Korea as they gear up for their title defense in the upcoming Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

The Fighting Maroons faced several Korean Basketball League (KBL) squads from August 24 to September 2, including the current teams of ex-UP standouts JD Cagulangan and Carl Tamayo.

According to UP assistant coach Christian Luanzon, the presence of Cagulangan and Tamayo during the final stretch of camp was invaluable, as the two shared insights that went beyond the basketball court.

“We miss them for sure… Those are two players very special to us, not only on the court but even off the court,” said Luanzon during a contract signing on Monday, September 8, at UP Diliman.

“The advice they gave — about mindset, how to approach a game, how to deal with losses, and other important things — are lessons that will really help our players moving forward,” he added.

Tamayo was the first to take his talents abroad in 2023, suiting up for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan’s B. League, where he won a championship before transferring to the KBL’s Changwon LG Sakers. He became the first Filipino import to capture titles in both Japan and Korea.

Cagulangan followed in 2024, signing with Suwon KT Sonicboom just two days after capping his collegiate career with a Finals MVP award and another UAAP crown for UP.

The reunion was particularly meaningful for team captain Gerry Abadiano, who was inspired by his former teammates’ success overseas.

SBP Executive Director Erika Dy and new Gilas Men head coach Norman Black outlined preparations for the Southeast Asian Games at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. 

New Gilas coach Norman Black is not leaving any stone unturned in forming the best team possible as the country seeks to retain the throne in men’s basketball in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

Black, who coached the Philippine team led by collegiate stars Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena, Chris Tiu and Ray Parks to the gold in the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta, has encountered difficulty forming the squad due to conflict of schedule for PBA players, collegiate players and those playing as imports in Japan and Korea.

“Our preparations are going to be short, that's why we need to get guys who can play together very quickly and who can play together very well,” said Black. 

Meanwhile, Erika Dy the SBP executive director also detailed the federation’s plan to build a competitive roster, while Black expressed eagerness to lead the squad, bringing decades of experience to the role. 

Once the initial pool of players is formed, coach Norman Black will call for practices on Mondays and prior to departure for Thailand, the team will do eight to nine straight days of practice.

“But the goal will definitely be to win the gold. There’s a lot of work to be done,” coach Black added.

Dy also assured everybody that once the team is formed, “we will be ready.”

Dy spoke mainly of the SBP programs for the remainder of the year, and it includes further promoting the sport in public schools in collaboration with the Department of Education through Secretary Sonny Angara and the Philippine Sports Commission through chairman Patrick Gregorio.

“Hopefully, we will be signing a memorandum of agreement soon,” said Dy.

With the Philippines determined to reclaim SEA Games basketball gold, both Dy and Black are confident that strong preparation and roster depth will be crucial to success.

“It’s a lot different now. Things have changed at how teams are recruiting players now. Things are different in the sense that everybody has improved in Southeast Asia,” coach Norman Black concluded. 

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Gilas Pilipinas national team are in a holding pattern as they await word from FIBA regarding the status of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, originally slated to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Gilas Pilipinas are awaiting word from FIBA officials if the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 will push through in Jeddah as there is a tension rising between Iran and Israel.

The tournament’s staging is now uncertain amid growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. With safety concerns looming, national federations and participating teams are left in a state of limbo, including the Philippines, which is among the 16 teams set to compete.