New hoop era: VisMin Super Cup set to kick off 1st pro season

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

A new professional men’s basketball league will be taking the country by storm.

Having a unique team format and the ultimate goal of pushing through with the grassroots basketball program in the provinces from Visayas and Mindanao, the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup is now officially approved as a professional league.

Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Abraham Mitra confirmed the development regarding the progress of the league. He is excited to be supporting the Visayas & Mindanao exclusive league.

A member of community-based basketball programs growing up, former PBA legend Dondon Hontiveros was named as the league’s ambassador.

“I was a product of community-based basketball more than 20 years ago. It was an introduction for me to be known and gave me the opportunity to earn. Nobody knew me until I played in a regional league that gave me the chance to prove myself and the rest is history,” said the Cebuano Hotshot.

Together with chairman Mitra, VisMin league commissioner Eduard Trinidad announced the approval of the league that will be featuring 12 teams in total.

Six teams from the Visayas and six teams from Mindanao will be vying for the first-ever VisMin Super Cup championship that is set to begin on April 9 in a tournament bubble format.

The league’s chief operating officer Rocky Chan disclosed that all teams will play in a double-round robin elimination format and the champion from the Visayas bracket will square-off with the Mindanao champs.

“This is a historic day for the league. We’re not here to compete with other leagues. We are here to help create jobs and opportunities for players, coaches, utilities and people who are involved in the sport,’’ said Chan.