SBP training centers eyed across Philippines

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MANILA, Philippines -- The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is eyeing to establish training centers in all 16 regions across the country, in a bid to strengthen the sport for the future.

SBP Grassroots Program Player Identification and Development head Norman Black, during the 2025 SBP National Congress on Friday, said that they aiming to establish at least one gym in all regions in the country.

“What we mean by this is we want to establish one gym in all the regions that all the players under the SBP banner can go and play, can go and learn and can go and learn from accredited coaches, from Jong Uichico, SBP coaches who can teach the curriculum to the kids,” Black said.

“This is a big goal for us. This is one of our big goals.”

But Black stressed that he still has to visit all the regions of the country.

Aside from this, the SBP is also eyeing to put up the Philippines’ own countryside tournament.

The veteran coach bared that they previously went to Serbia and Australia to observe youth basketball tournaments.

“The next big goal would be to have that tournament, where we bring all the kids under the SBP banner to play in a tournament that represents the entire country,” Black stated.

With these in the pipeline for Philippine basketball, Black stressed that everything they do is “for the kids.”

“We've been pretty busy. You've got to get out there and get the work done if you want to accomplish anything. It's been a good experience for me because I've been able to get out there and meet a lot of kids and train them,” the coach said.

“This is for the kids. All these things we do are for the kids. Growing the game of basketball in the Philippines is for the kids. Keeping them out of trouble, keeping them away from drugs, keeping them on the straight and narrow is for the kids. The more we can get involved in basketball, the more these guys are going to do things.”