CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan—Gov. Daniel R. Fernando launched on Monday, March 1, the tryouts for aspiring players of the Bulacan Republicans basketball team which will see action in the fourth season of the National Basketball League.
Fernando said that while his plan for the Bulacan Sports Academy is hampered due to the coronavirus pandemic, his vision for the Bulakenyo athletes is still on. He never hesitated to take the opportunity when the NBL sent its invitation
"I wanted the Bulakenyo basketball players to have an advance learning and technology, strengthened and develop their discipline, sportsmanship, and humilit,” said Fernando.
For his part, team co-owner Romy Cardenas believes the Bulakenyos can compete in a professional and national league.
NBL Executive Vice President Rhose Montreal said they really pursued Fernando because of his love for sports, evident with his Bola Kontra Droga project which was launched years before.
“We believe na kapag Gob ang nag-handle mas magiging maayos at maalagaan ang team (The Governor will surely handle the team well)," Montreal said.
The first professional homegrown league in the world, the NBL was established in 2018 and is a developmental league that aims to hone homegrown talents of towns, cities, or provinces which will start by April.
NBL now joins the Philippine Basketball Association and the Chooks-to-Go 3x3 as professional leagues in the country, giving players the opportunities to have exposure but not to compete with its fellow pro leagues.