National Basketball Conference
Encyclopedia
The National Basketball Conference was a regional-based basketball league in the Philippines
formed in 2004. The league is sanctioned by the Philippine national sport association for basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Teams are also sponsored by the local government and sponsors.
In 2008, it merged with the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association
(MVBA), and Third Force Inc. (TFI) to form the new Liga Pilipinas
.
(MBA) folded up in 2002, the clamor for a regional basketball did not die down.
Several leagues with the community-based concept started to surface but none of them lasted.
On such league was the National Basketball League (NBL), owned and operated by the Basketball Association of the Philippines
(BAP), the former Philippine basketball governing body.
In 2003, the BAP had asked the NBL group to give back the "National Basketball League" name and rights to the BAP. The NBL officials did so, regrouped, and came up with a new name: the National Basketball Conference, a league totally independent of the BAP.
In 2004, the NBC played its first season with 8 teams participating, forming two divisions, Northern (Baguio Cardinals, Forward Taguig, Laguna Springs and Batangas 29ers) and Southern (Iloilo Warriors, Tribu Sugbu-Cebu, Cagayan de Oro Stars, Ozamiz Cotta). It still adopted the MBA's Home and Away format, but introduced the "Road Swing" wherein which cross-division contests required a team to tackle all its opposition in one road trip (usually lasting a little more than one week). This formula was drawn up by then Basketball Operations chief Noel Zarate, who was also the voice behind the original NBC broadcasts. The opening game featured a matchup between the visiting Iloilo Warriors against the Cagayan de Oro Stars. The game went into to double overtime with the visitors prevailing 114-110. Iloilo's Carlos Sayon registered 30 points in the win. Tribu Sugbo (then owned by busniessmen Lito Gillamac and Albert Tan and coached by former PBA player Al Solis) defeated Forward Taguig (owned by Taguig City Freddie Tinga and coached by former FEU mentor Danny Gavieres) in a thrilling three game series to cop the first NBC National Championship. Egay Echavez of Ozamiz was the first league MVP.
In 2005, new teams joined the league that included the Parañaque Jets, who made headlines by defeating the Basketball Association of the Philippines
-sponsored RP-Cebuana Lhuillier Team in the NBC Preseason tournament. The Jets, though, failed to make the playoffs as the Ozamiz Cotta won the championship.
For the 2006 season, new expansion team joined the league, Pagadian Explorers of Mayor Sammy S. Co, the tournament was divided into two conferences, similar to the format used by the Philippine Basketball Association
and the Philippine Basketball League
. Ozamiz Cotta won the first conference title in Game 3 against the expansion team Pagadian Explorers,the first ever expansion team in league history to reach finals, while the second conference is also won by Ozamis Cotta via sweep against the Batang Tagaytay Springs.
For the 2007 season, a new team joined the league, GenSan-MP Pacman Warriors of the "Pambansang Kamao ng Pilipinas" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao
from General Santos City
. The League has its TV partners the 24-hour Basketball TV
and Viva Prime Channel.
In 2008, it merged with the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association
(MVBA), and Third Force Inc. (TFI) to form the new Liga Pilipinas
.
and many others
and Prime Channel
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
formed in 2004. The league is sanctioned by the Philippine national sport association for basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Teams are also sponsored by the local government and sponsors.
In 2008, it merged with the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association
Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association
The Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association is a community-based amateur commercial basketball league in Southern Philippines sanctioned by the country's National Sports Association for basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas . The league is made up of teams from the Visayas and Mindanao...
(MVBA), and Third Force Inc. (TFI) to form the new Liga Pilipinas
Liga Pilipinas
Liga Pilipinas is a regional basketball league in the Philippines. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country's national basketball federation, and owned by Pinoy Basketbol, Inc....
.
History
After the Metropolitan Basketball AssociationMetropolitan Basketball Association
The Metropolitan Basketball Association or Metroball was a professional basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998.The MBA overtook the Philippine Basketball Association's plans on regionalization when the league adopted a home-and-away format where teams, instead of representing...
(MBA) folded up in 2002, the clamor for a regional basketball did not die down.
Several leagues with the community-based concept started to surface but none of them lasted.
On such league was the National Basketball League (NBL), owned and operated by the Basketball Association of the Philippines
Basketball Association of the Philippines
The Basketball Association of the Philippines was the International Basketball Federation recognized national governing body for basketball in the Philippines...
(BAP), the former Philippine basketball governing body.
In 2003, the BAP had asked the NBL group to give back the "National Basketball League" name and rights to the BAP. The NBL officials did so, regrouped, and came up with a new name: the National Basketball Conference, a league totally independent of the BAP.
In 2004, the NBC played its first season with 8 teams participating, forming two divisions, Northern (Baguio Cardinals, Forward Taguig, Laguna Springs and Batangas 29ers) and Southern (Iloilo Warriors, Tribu Sugbu-Cebu, Cagayan de Oro Stars, Ozamiz Cotta). It still adopted the MBA's Home and Away format, but introduced the "Road Swing" wherein which cross-division contests required a team to tackle all its opposition in one road trip (usually lasting a little more than one week). This formula was drawn up by then Basketball Operations chief Noel Zarate, who was also the voice behind the original NBC broadcasts. The opening game featured a matchup between the visiting Iloilo Warriors against the Cagayan de Oro Stars. The game went into to double overtime with the visitors prevailing 114-110. Iloilo's Carlos Sayon registered 30 points in the win. Tribu Sugbo (then owned by busniessmen Lito Gillamac and Albert Tan and coached by former PBA player Al Solis) defeated Forward Taguig (owned by Taguig City Freddie Tinga and coached by former FEU mentor Danny Gavieres) in a thrilling three game series to cop the first NBC National Championship. Egay Echavez of Ozamiz was the first league MVP.
In 2005, new teams joined the league that included the Parañaque Jets, who made headlines by defeating the Basketball Association of the Philippines
Basketball Association of the Philippines
The Basketball Association of the Philippines was the International Basketball Federation recognized national governing body for basketball in the Philippines...
-sponsored RP-Cebuana Lhuillier Team in the NBC Preseason tournament. The Jets, though, failed to make the playoffs as the Ozamiz Cotta won the championship.
For the 2006 season, new expansion team joined the league, Pagadian Explorers of Mayor Sammy S. Co, the tournament was divided into two conferences, similar to the format used by the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
and the Philippine Basketball League
Philippine Basketball League
The Philippine Basketball League is a commercial semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines. The league is composed of several commercial teams with several collegiate and provincial stars.-History:...
. Ozamiz Cotta won the first conference title in Game 3 against the expansion team Pagadian Explorers,the first ever expansion team in league history to reach finals, while the second conference is also won by Ozamis Cotta via sweep against the Batang Tagaytay Springs.
For the 2007 season, a new team joined the league, GenSan-MP Pacman Warriors of the "Pambansang Kamao ng Pilipinas" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
from General Santos City
General Santos City
The City of General Santos is the southernmost port city of the Philippines. Being a highly urbanized first class city, GenSan is one of the most populous urban centers in the country with a population of 679,588 as per census data of 2010...
. The League has its TV partners the 24-hour Basketball TV
Basketball TV
Basketball TV or BTV is a 24-hour all-basketball cable channel in the Philippines owned by the Solar Entertainment Corporation. It was launched on October 1, 2006, rebranding the Sports Plus channel....
and Viva Prime Channel.
In 2008, it merged with the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association
Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association
The Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association is a community-based amateur commercial basketball league in Southern Philippines sanctioned by the country's National Sports Association for basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas . The league is made up of teams from the Visayas and Mindanao...
(MVBA), and Third Force Inc. (TFI) to form the new Liga Pilipinas
Liga Pilipinas
Liga Pilipinas is a regional basketball league in the Philippines. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country's national basketball federation, and owned by Pinoy Basketbol, Inc....
.
(Last NBC Season-2007)
| Team | Season joined | Location | Owner | Home Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozamiz Cotta | 2004 | Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental Misamis Occidental Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City... |
Reynaldo Parojinog | Angel Medina Gymnasium |
| Batang Tagaytay City>Tagaytay Springs | - | Tagaytay City Tagaytay City The City of Tagaytay is a second class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. Only away from Manila via Aguinaldo Highway, it is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tagaytay City provides a good view of the Taal Volcano... , Cavite Cavite Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south... |
Tolentino Sports Center | |
| Pagadian Explorers | 2006 | Pagadian City Pagadian City The City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a... , Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital... |
Mayor Samuel Co | ZSPCTA Gymnasium |
| Valencia-Golden Harvest | - | Valencia City, Bukidnon Valencia City, Bukidnon The City of Valencia is a 2nd class city in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 162,745 people in 28,425 households.-History:... |
Mayor Jose M. Galario Jr. | Valencia City Gymnasium |
| Toyota-Iloilo Warriors | - | Iloilo City Iloilo City The City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area... , Iloilo Iloilo Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,... |
University of San Agustin Gymnasium | |
| Davao Montaña Pawnshop Jewels | - | Davao City Davao City The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines.... |
||
| Quezon-Villa Anita | 2007 | Lucena City Lucena City Metro Lucena has an estimated population of 700,000 which is mostly concentrated in the flat south-central portion of Quezon, which includes the cities of Lucena and Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria, Lucban & Pagbilao . The people are often characterized as friendly and hardworking... , Quezon Quezon -History:Originally, what now forms Quezon was divided among the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The area was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571-1572, during his expedition from Laguna to Camarines provinces.... |
Gov. Wilfredo Enverga | Quezon Convention Center |
| Iligan Crusaders | 2004 | Iligan City Iligan City The City of Iligan is a highly urbanized industrial city north of the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, and the province's former capital. It is approximately 795 kilometers southeast of Manila... |
Mayor Lawrence Cruz | MSU-IIT Gymnasium |
| GenSan MP Pacman Warriors | 2007 | General Santos City General Santos City The City of General Santos is the southernmost port city of the Philippines. Being a highly urbanized first class city, GenSan is one of the most populous urban centers in the country with a population of 679,588 as per census data of 2010... , South Cotabato South Cotabato South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east... |
Manny Pacquiao Manny Pacquiao Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the... |
South Cotabato Sports Center/Lagao Gymnasium |
Defunct Teams
- Paranaque Jets
- Baguio Cardinals/Lions
- Forward Taguig
- Laguna Springs
- Laguna Pistons
- BatangasBatangasBatangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
29ers - Tribu Sugbu-CebuCebuCebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
- Cagayan de Oro Stars
- Arthro Kontra Arthritis-Cebu
- Osmena-CebuCebuCebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
- Harbour CentreHarbour CentreHarbour Centre is a notable skyscraper in the central business district of Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The "Lookout" tower atop the office building makes it one of the tallest structures in Vancouver and a prominent landmark on the city's skyline...
-Bacchus-ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,... - Mandaue (Mantawi) Sparkling Knights
- Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga del NorteZamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
(ZaNorte) Hornbills - North Cotabato Braves
Teams in Pre-NBC days (as NBL)
- M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-CebuCebuCebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
- Compak-Shineway-Ozamiz Cotta
- Ilocos SurIlocos SurIlocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
Snipers - Grachiya-Adamson Falcons
- Spring Cooking Oil-Malabon
- Forward Taguig
- Mail and More-Restolax-MayniLA
- PampangaPampangaPampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
Bulls/Sulpicio LinesSulpicio LinesPhilippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation is a shipping line in the Philippines. It is notable in the Philippines and around the world for owning and operating the vessel MV Doña Paz, which figured in the worst maritime disaster during peace time on December 20, 1987 where 4,375 people lost their...
-PampangaPampangaPampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast... - Spring Cooking Oil-Sta. Rosa Seven Lakers
Officers
- President
- Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla (Olympian and owner of Spring Oil)
- Vice President
- Bambol Tolentino (Mayor of Tagaytay CityTagaytay CityThe City of Tagaytay is a second class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. Only away from Manila via Aguinaldo Highway, it is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tagaytay City provides a good view of the Taal Volcano...
)
- Bambol Tolentino (Mayor of Tagaytay City
- Secretary-General
- Tito Palma (former commissioner of NBL)
Players
- Mario Reyes (Laguna Springs/Tagaytay Springs)
- Nelson AsaytonoNelson AsaytonoNelson Asaytono is a retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association, also known as "The Bull" for his monster dunks...
(Pagadian Explorers) (former PBA player) - Robin Mendoza (Quezon-Villa Anita) (former PBA player)
- John Laborte (Toyota-Iloilo Warriors)
- Marlon Legaspi (Osmena-Cebu) (former PBA player)
- Britt Reroma (Bacchus-Harbour Centre-Manila) (current San Beda CollegeSan Beda CollegeSan Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...
-High School varsity coach) - Elbert Alberto (Pagadian Explorers)
- Ruel Bravo (North Cotabato Braves) (former PBA player)
- Romulo Marata (Iligan Crusaders)
- Nathaniel Cruz (Iligan Crusaders/Valencia Golden Harvest)
- Ian Saladaga (Iligan Crusaders/Valencia Golden Harvest)
- Ferdinand Go (Iligan Crusaders) (former PBL player)
- Ollan Omiping (Bacchus-Harbour Centre-Manila/Iligan Crusaders)
- Christian Nicdao (Ozamiz Cotta/Iligan Crusaders) (former PBA player)
- Marlon Kalaw (Laguna Springs/Tagaytay Springs/Iligan Crusaders)
- Carlos Sayon (Toyota-Iloilo Warriors) (former MBA Player)
- Egay Echavez (Ozamiz Cotta) (former PBA/MBA player)
- Marvin Poloyapoy (Montana Pawnshop-Davao)
- John Gonzaga (Montana Pawnshop-Davao)
- Apol Coronado (MP PacMan-Gensan Warriors)
- Bruce Dacia (Tribu Sugbu-Cebu) (former PBA/MBA player)
- Mark Ababon (Tribu Sugbu-Cebu)
and many others
NBC champions
- 2004: Tribu Sugbu
- 2005: Ozamiz Cotta
- 2006:
- First Conference: Ozamiz Cotta
- Second Conference: Ozamiz Cotta
- 2007:
- National Cup: Iligan CrusadersIligan CrusadersThe Iligan Crusaders are a professional basketball team based in Iligan City, Philippines. They play in the National Basketball Conference . The team is currently owned by Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and is currently managed by Frederick Siao....
- National Cup: Iligan Crusaders
Media coverage
National Basketball Conference games are broadcast via Basketball TVBasketball TV
Basketball TV or BTV is a 24-hour all-basketball cable channel in the Philippines owned by the Solar Entertainment Corporation. It was launched on October 1, 2006, rebranding the Sports Plus channel....
and Prime Channel