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PBA D-League

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PBA D-League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2025 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup
SportBasketball
FoundedJanuary 25, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-01-25)
First season2011
CommissionerWillie Marcial
Motto"The Road to the PBA Starts Here."
No. of teams6
CountryPhilippines
ContinentFIBA Asia (Asia)
Most recent
champion(s)
Eco Oil-La Salle Green Archers
(3rd title)
Most titlesNLEX Road Warriors
(6 titles)
TV partner(s)RPTV, PBA Rush
Official websitepba.ph

The PBA D-League, or PBA Developmental League, is the official minor league of the Philippine Basketball Association.

History

The PBA D-League was conceptualized after the collapse of the proposed merger between the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas after the staging of the Tournament of the Philippines which was composed by PBL and Liga Pilipinas teams. PBA Commissioner Chito Salud proposed the formation of a PBA D-League, which will fill the void left by the PBL. On January 25, 2011, the PBA Board of Governors approved the proposal.[citation needed]

The maiden tournament, named "Foundation Cup" began on March 12, 2011 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The tournament composed of 13 teams, with five teams (Junior Powerade, NLEX, Maynilad, Freego and Cafe France) having affiliation with existing PBA teams.[1] Four teams (Cobra Energy Drink, Agri-Nature Inc./FCA, Pharex, and Cafe France) from the Philippine Basketball League filed for application in the PBA D-League, when they failed to acquire a sixth team in order to smoothly run the league.[2] The NLEX Road Warriors became the champions of the tournament, winning two games to none against the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems.

The second tournament, dubbed as the "Aspirant's Cup" began on October 20. Four teams (Maynilad, Junior Powerade, Max Bond and Pharex) did not join the tournament. However, two new teams (Boracay Rum and Informatics) made their debut in the D-League.[3]

The D-League has held its own rookie draft since the 2013–14 PBA season.[4]

In August 2015, the PBA approved plans for a nationwide D-League and a Women's D-League that will open soon. From 2016, the men's competition was first to be held in three separate, simultaneous tournaments, first in Luzon and later in the Visayas and Mindanao. The three regional champions would join the national championship round which would be joined by Metro Manila teams.[5] However the plan was never fully realized with the Northern Luzon tournament never finished and the Visayas tournament cancelled.[6]

The 2020 season was indefinitely postponed in March 2020 with only some games of the Aspirants Cup played[7] before the season was cancelled altogether in September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] The league has not held games as of 2021. The resumption of the D-League has been hampered by the fact that league heavily relies on school-based teams.[9]

Teams

Teams in the PBA D-League had to pay a participating fee either on a per conference or per season basis. Unlike the PBA, the number of participating teams may vary per conference.[10]

Current teams (2024)

Team Company / College Joined Titles Head coach PBA affiliate
CCI–Yengskivel Crusaders Cornerstone College (SJDM, Bulacan)
Yengskivel Sportswear
2024 Aspirants' 0 Arwin Villamor Adina
CEU Scorpions Centro Escolar University 2017 Foundation 0 Jeff Perlas
EcoOil–La Salle Green Archers EcoOil Ltd.
De La Salle University
2020 Aspirants' 3 Gian Nazario
GoTorakku–St. Clare Saints Torakku Motor Assembly
St. Clare College of Caloocan
2024 Aspirants' 0 Jinino Manansala
Keanzel Believers Keanzel Basketball 2024 Aspirants' 0 Mark Herrera
Marinerong Pilipino Skippers–San Beda Marinerong Pilipino Group
San Beda University
2017 Foundation 0 Yuri Escueta TNT Tropang Giga

Former teams

Team Owner PBA affiliate First tournament Last tournament
FCA Cultivators
Big Chill Super Chargers
Agri-Nurture, Inc. 2011 Foundation 2014 Foundation
Maynilad Water Dragons Maynilad Water Services Inc. Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 2011 Foundation 2011 Foundation
Max Bond Super Glue Sumos Magnaprime Corporation 2011 Foundation 2011 Foundation
Pharex Naproxen Sodium Bidang Generix Pascual Laboratories, Inc. 2011 Foundation 2011 Foundation
Freego Jeans EINSCO Inc. 2011 Foundation 2012 Aspirant's
Cobra Energy Drink Iron Men Asia Brewery, Inc. 2011 Foundation 2012 Aspirant's
Dub Unlimited Wheelers Mega Dub Unlimited Specialist Inc. 2012 Aspirant's 2012 Aspirant's
Junior Powerade Tigers Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. Powerade Tigers 2011 Foundation 2012 Foundation
PC Gilmore Wizards PC Gilmore, Inc. 2011 Aspirant's 2012 Aspirant's
RnW Pacific Pipes Steelmasters RnW Pacific Pipes Corporation 2011 Foundation 2012 Foundation
Erase XFoliant Erasers Universal Knowledge DermPharma, Inc. GlobalPort Batang Pier 2012 Foundation 2012 Aspirants
Informatics Icons Informatics International University 2012 Aspirants 2013 Foundation
Fruitas Shakers Fruitas Group Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters 2012 Aspirants 2013 Foundation
Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants AliKaiser International Incorporated 2013 Foundation 2015 Foundation
EA Regen Med Regens EA Regen Medical Group, Inc. 2013 Foundation 2013 Foundation
Arellano Chiefs Arellano University Air21 Express 2013 Aspirants 2013 Aspirants
NLEX Road Warriors Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Meralco Bolts 2011 Foundation 2014 Foundation
Boracay Rum Waves Asia Brewery, Inc. 2012 Foundation 2013 Foundation
Blackwater Sports Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. 2011 Foundation 2014 Foundation
Hog's Breath Cafe Razorbacks Hog's Breath Cafe 2013 Foundation 2014 Foundation
Derulo Accelero Oilers UR Value Corporation Alaska Aces 2013 Aspirants 2014 Foundation
MJM M-Builders Mercado Builders
MJM Productions, Inc.
2013 Aspirants 2014 Aspirants
Bread Story Smashing Bakers Bread Story Philippines Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 2014 Aspirants 2014 Aspirants
Cagayan Valley Rising Suns Cagayan Province LGU 2012 Foundation 2015 Foundation
Hapee Fresh Fighters Lamoiyan Corporation NLEX Road Warriors 2014 Aspirants 2015 Foundation
Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Cebuana Lhuillier 2011 Foundation 2015 Foundation
MP Hotel Warriors MP Promotions, Inc. Kia Carnival 2014 Aspirants 2015 Foundation
LiverMarin Guardians -
San Sebastian Golden Stags
ATC Healthcare Corporation
San Sebastian College - Recoletos
2015 Foundation 2015 Foundation
BDO - NU Bulldogs BDO Unibank, Inc.
National University
Blackwater Elite 2013 Aspirants 2016 Aspirants
Phoenix Accelerators Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. Phoenix Fuelmasters 2016 Aspirants 2016 Foundation
QRS / JAM Liner -
UP Fighting Maroons
QRS Logistics
JAM Liner, Inc.
University of the Philippines
Mahindra Enforcer 2016 Aspirants 2016 Aspirants
Z.C. Mindanao Aguilas Kings Janitorial Services and Cooperative of Zamboanga Globalport Batang Pier 2016 Aspirants 2016 Foundation
Victoria Sports - MLQU Stallions Victoria Sports
Manuel L. Quezon University
2017 Aspirants 2017 Aspirants
Blustar Detergent Dragons - Malaysia Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc.
Westports Malaysia Holdings
Blackwater Elite 2016 Foundation 2017 Aspirants
Cafe France Bakers Cafe France Corporation Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 2011 Foundation 2017 Aspirants
Racal Motors Alibaba
Caida Tile Masters
Racal Group of Companies 2014 Aspirants 2017 Foundation
Flying V Thunder Flying V Petroleum 2017 Foundation 2017 Foundation
Tanduay Rhum Masters Tanduay Distillers, Inc. 2011 Foundation 2017 Foundation
Mila's Lechon Mighty Roasters Mila's Lechon and Restaurant 2018 Aspirants 2018 Aspirants
Akari - Adamson Soaring Falcons Akari Lighting and Technology Corporation
Adamson University
2018 Aspirants 2018 Aspirants
Gamboa Coffee Mixers Universal Knowledge DermPharma, Inc. 2017 Foundation 2018 Aspirants
Zark's Jawbreakers
- LPU Pirates
Zark's Burgers
Lyceum of the Philippines University
Phoenix Fuelmasters 2017 Foundation 2018 Aspirants
JRU Heavy Bombers Jose Rizal University Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 2012 Foundation 2018 Aspirants
Cignal HD Hawkeyes
Cignal HD - Ateneo Blue Eagles
Cignal TV, Inc.
Ateneo de Manila University
NLEX Road Warriors 2017 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
Che'Lu Bar & Grill Revellers Hydra Connection Entertainment Corporation 2018 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
Go For Gold Scratchers
- College of Saint Benilde Blazers
Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
Blackwater Elite 2018 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
The Masterpiece / CD14 Designs - Trinity Stallions The Masterpiece Clothing
CD14 Designs Custom Sports Apparels
Trinity University of Asia
2019 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
Metropac Movers
- San Beda Red Lions
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation
San Beda University
TNT Katropa 2019 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
SMDC - NU Bulldogs SM Development Corporation
National University
2019 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
Batangas EAC Generals Batangas Province LGU
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Meralco Bolts 2017 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
Petron - Letran Knights Petron Corporation
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
San Miguel Beermen 2019 Aspirants 2019 Aspirants
FEU Tamaraws Cha Dao Tea Place
Seaoil Philippines
Far Eastern University
Magnolia Hotshots 2019 Aspirants 2020 Aspirants
Apex Fuel - San Sebastian Golden Stags Apex Fuel Mindanao
San Sebastian College-Recoletos
2019 Aspirants 2022 Aspirants
Builders Warehouse - UST Growling Tigers Racal Group of Companies
University of Santo Tomas
2019 Aspirants 2022 Aspirants
Nail Talk & Beauty Spa
- St. Dominic Savio Unicorns
Nail Talk & Beauty Spa
St. Dominic Savio College
2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
iWalk Chargers iWalk Philippines 2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
Italianos Homme Italianos Homme Shoes 2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
McDavid Apparels - De La Salle Araneta Stallions McDavid Philippines
De La Salle Araneta University
2019 Aspirants 2019 Foundation
Diliman College Blue Dragons Diliman College GlobalPort Batang Pier 2019 Aspirants 2020 Aspirants
FamilyMart - Enderun Titans FamilyMart
Enderun Colleges
Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters 2019 Aspirants 2020 Aspirants
BRT Sumisip Basilan - St. Clare Saints St. Clare College of Caloocan
Province of Basilan LGU
2019 Aspirants 2019 Foundation
Hyperwash Vipers Hyperwash Laundromat 2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
Asia's Lashes Soldiers Asia's Lashes
Tomas Morato, Quezon City
2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
Alberei Kings Alberei Advertising Corporation
Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
Hazchem Green Warriors Hazchem Inc.
Calamba, Laguna
2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
Black Mamba Energy Drink Corbridge Group Philippines 2019 Foundation 2019 Foundation
ADG Dong - Mapua Cardinals ADG Group of Companies
Mapua University
Blackwater Elite 2020 Aspirants 2020 Aspirants
TIP Engineers Technological Institute of the Philippines 2020 Aspirants 2020 Aspirants
Adalem Construction - St. Clare College Adalem Construction
St. Clare College of Caloocan
2022 Aspirants 2022 Aspirants
AMA Online Education Titans AMA University 2014 Aspirants 2023 Aspirants'
Perpetual Help Altas University of Perpetual Help System DALTA 2018 Aspirants' 2023 Aspirants'
PSP Gymers Philippine Sports Performance Fitness Centre 2023 Aspirants' 2023 Aspirants'
Wang's Basketball–Letran PRC Courier & Maintenance Services
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
NorthPort Batang Pier 2013 Aspirants' 2023 Aspirants'

List of champions

PBA Season Conference Champion Series Runner-Up Winning coach Conference MVP Team
2011 Foundation NLEX 2-0 Cebuana Lhuillier Boyet Fernandez Allein Maliksi Cebuana Lhuillier
2011–12 Aspirants' NLEX 2-0 Freego Boyet Fernandez Vic Manuel Cebuana Lhuillier
Foundation NLEX 2-0 Big Chill Boyet Fernandez Cliff Hodge NLEX
2012–13 Aspirants' NLEX 2-0 Cagayan Boyet Fernandez Ian Sangalang NLEX
Foundation Blackwater 2-0 NLEX Leo Isaac Jake Pascual NLEX
2013–14 Aspirants' NLEX 2-0 Big Chill Boyet Fernandez Garvo Lanete NLEX
Foundation NLEX 2-0 Blackwater Boyet Fernandez Kevin Alas NLEX
2014–15 Aspirants' Hapee 2-0 Cagayan Ronnie Magsanoc Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Hapee
Foundation Café France 2-1 Hapee Edgar Macaraya Moala Tautuaa Cebuana Lhuillier
2016 Aspirants' Phoenix 3-2 Café France Eric Gonzales Mac Belo Phoenix
Foundation Phoenix 2-1 Tanduay Eric Gonzales Mike Tolomia Phoenix
2017 Aspirants' Cignal HD - San Beda 2-1 Racal Tile Boyet Fernandez Robert Bolick Cignal HD - San Beda
Foundation Cignal HD 2-0 CEU Boyet Fernandez Raymar Jose Cignal HD
2018 Aspirants' Zark's Burgers - LPU 2-1 Che'Lu Bar and Grill - SSC-R Topex Robinson CJ Perez Zark's Burgers - LPU
Foundation Go for Gold 3-2 Che'Lu Bar and Grill Charles Tiu Jeff Viernes Che'Lu Bar and Grill
2019 Aspirants' Cignal HD - Ateneo 3-1 CEU Tab Baldwin Isaac Go Cignal HD - Ateneo
Foundation BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare 2-1 Marinerong Pilipino Stevenson Tiu Eliud Poligrates Marinerong Pilipino
2020 Aspirants' Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Aspirants' EcoOil–La Salle 2-1 Marinerong Pilipino Derrick Pumaren Juan Gómez de Liaño Marinerong Pilipino
2023 Aspirants' EcoOil–La Salle 2-0 Marinerong Pilipino - San Beda Topex Robinson Kevin Quiambao EcoOil–La Salle
2024 Aspirants' EcoOil–La Salle 2-0 CEU Gian Nazario Michael Philips EcoOil–La Salle
2025 Aspirants'

See also

References

  1. ^ Joble, Rey (February 16, 2011). "PBA Developmental League draws 14 teams, 3 PBL squads jump ship". GMA News. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "Without six teams, no PBL — for now". GMA News. February 16, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "D-League second season unfolds with 11-team cast". ABS-CBN News. The Philippine Star. October 12, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  4. ^ "PBA D-League Rookie Draft Set". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 24, 2013. Archived from the original on August 27, 2013.
  5. ^ Villar, Joey Villar; Beltran, Nelson (August 11, 2015). "PBA D-League to go nationwide". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "Willie Marcial reveals plan of turning PBA D-League regional". Dugout Philippines. January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  7. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 14, 2020). "PBA D-League fate to be known by August". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  8. ^ "PBA D-League season kanselado na | Abante TNT Breaking News". Abante (in Filipino). September 29, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  9. ^ Leongson, Randolph (January 20, 2022). "Is the D-League still part of PBA's plans? Kume responds". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  10. ^ Leongson, Randolph (June 9, 2020). "D-League exec assures teams tournament fees won't lapse". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 2, 2022.