Upcoming season or competition: 2026 NBL-Pilipinas Governor's Cup | |
 | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 (2018) |
| First season | 2018 |
| President | Rhose Montreal |
| Commissioner | John Edward Aquino |
| Motto | Ang tahanan ng tunay na homegrown (transl. The home of the true homegrown) |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Continent | FIBA Asia (Asia) |
Most recent champion | CamSur Express (1st title) |
| Most titles | Taguig Generals (5 titles) |
| Broadcasters | ALIW Channel 23 TAP Sports Premier Sports 2 |
| Website | http://nblp.web.geniussports.com/ |
The National Basketball League (NBL), also known as the NBL–Pilipinas, is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines.
History
On June 7, 2018, Celso "Soy" Mercado established the league and named National Basketball League Philippines to search undiscovered talents. The league features an away-and-home format, focusing on giving homegrown players (aged 18–30, and bonafide residents of the team's province, city or municipality) an opportunity to showcase their skills.[1][2] The league began its inaugural season on August 25, 2018, with 10 teams from Luzon. Games were played every Saturday and Sunday.[3] The Parañaque Aces became the league's first champions after defeating the Dasmariñas Ballers in the best-of-three championship round.
In 2019, the league expanded to 15 teams, while two of the founding teams folded (Marikina Shoemakers and Bulacan Makabayan). The Women's National Basketball League began their inaugural season on April 7, 2019. The league's youth division, named NBL-Youth, began its season on May 20, 2019. NBL Philippines season 3 opened November 16, 2019, with 14 teams competing (Bulacan, Iriga, Rizal, Zambales, Imus & Cainta begged off from competing, while Marikina Best Shoemakers returned to the league after a year absence). On August 26, 2020, the Games and Amusements Board have accepted the NBL and WNBL's application to become a professional league in 2021.[4] The first professional season of the NBL began on July 18, 2021, at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in Pampanga.
Teams
| Team | Locality | First season | Arena | Capacity | Team owner / governor | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CamSur Express | Camarines Sur | 2018 | Fuerte Sports Complex | 3,000 | Gov. Luigi Villafuerte / Engr. Solomon Ngo | Genesius Molto |
| Manila MLB | Manila | 2025 Governor's Cup | Paco Arena | N/A | Mark Guteza | Harmz Hui |
| Nueva Ecija Granary Buffalos | Nueva Ecija | 2024 President's Cup | Nueva Ecija Coliseum Nagano Gym |
5,500 | Hon. Aurelio Umali, Hon. Emmanuel Antonio Umali, Gil Raymond Umali | Sherwin Allado |
| Pangasinan Asinderos | Calasiao, Pangasinan Rosales, Pangasinan |
2025 President's Cup | Robert B. Estrella Memorial Stadium | N/A | Hon. Patrick Caramat / William Cezar | Chris Calaguio |
| Quezon City Stars | Quezon City | 2026 Governor's Cup | TBA | TBA | Paul Bayog | Albert Olaya |
| Quezon Starhorse | Quezon | 2026 Governor's Cup | TBA | TBA | Vincent Victor Reyes Jr. | Melki Villanueva |
| Rizaleno Rising Suns | Rizal | 2026 Governor's Cup | TBA | TBA | Mark Ymas | Ringgo Pajarito |
| Taguig City Generals | Taguig | 2018 | Cong. Jun Duenas Gymnasium | 2,000 | Hon. Lani Cayetano | Bing Victoria |
| Tikas Kapampangan | Pampanga | 2024 President's Cup | FEU Pampanga Gymnasium Lapid Arena |
1,000 5,000 |
Aya Gopez | Jeff Chan |
| Zamboanga Valientes | Zamboanga City | 2019 | TBA | TBA | Junnie Navarro | RJ Argamino |
Previous teams
| Team | Locality | Arena | Capacity | First season | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biñan Tatak Gel | Biñan, Laguna | Alonte Sports Arena | 6,500 | 2023 President's Cup | 2023 Chairman's Cup |
| Bulacan Starks - McDavid | Bulacan | Malolos Sports and Convention Center STI College Malolos Gym |
2,000 1,000 |
2019 | 2019 |
| Bulacan Makabayan | Bulacan | Baliwag Star Arena | 5,000 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Cagayan Valley Water Buffalos | Cagayan Valley | none | none | 2022 President's Cup | 2022 President's Cup |
| Cavite Ballers | Cavite | De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Ugnayang La Salle Gym & Animo Center Philippine Christian University - Dasmariñas Gym |
2,000 3,000 |
2018 | 2019-20 President's Cup |
| Damayang Filipino Bulacan Stars | Bulacan | Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium | 5,000 | 2021 | 2023 President's Cup |
| FSD Makati Defenders | Makati | none | none | 2022 President's Cup | 2022 President's Cup |
| Imus Bandila | Imus, Cavite | Imus Sports Complex | 1,000 | 2019 | 2019 |
| Iriga City Oragons | Iriga, Camarines Sur | Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum | ~12,000 | 2019 | 2019 |
| La Union Paower | La Union | San Juan Gymnasium (La Union) | N/A | 2019-20 President's Cup 2022 Chairman's Cup (Rejoined) |
2022 Chairman's Cup |
| Laguna Kings | Laguna | none | none | 2022 Chairman's Cup | 2022 Chairman's Cup |
| Laguna Pistons | Laguna | Santa Rosa Sports Complex | 5,700 | 2018 | 2022 President's Cup |
| Las Piñas Lodis | Las Piñas | none | none | 2022 President's Cup | 2022 President's Cup |
| Las Piñas Oil Machine | Las Piñas | none | none | 2022 Chairman's Cup | 2022 Chairman's Cup |
| Lifenet Caloocan Executives | Caloocan | none | none | 2019-20 President's Cup | 2019-20 President's Cup |
| Luid Kapampangan | Pampanga | AUF Sports and Cultural Center Colegio De Sebastian Gymnasium |
2,000 1,400 |
2023 President's Cup | 2023 President's Cup |
| Makati Circus Music Festival | Makati | Makati Coliseum | 12,000 | 2023 Chairman's Cup | 2023 Chairman's Cup |
| Marikina Best Shoemakers | Marikina | Marikina Sports Center | 7,000 | 2018 2019-20 President's Cup (Rejoined) |
2018 (Marikina Shoemakers) 2019-20 President's Cup |
| Mindoro Tamaraws Disiplinados | Mindoro | none | none | 2021 Chairman's Cup | 2021 Chairman's Cup |
| Muntinlupa Chiefs | Muntinlupa | none | none | 2023 Chairman's Cup | 2023 Chairman's Cup |
| Muntinlupa Constructicons | Muntinlupa | none | none | 2022 Chairman's Cup | 2022 Chairman's Cup |
| Muntinlupa Water Warriors | Muntinlupa | none | none | 2021 Chairman's Cup | 2023 President's Cup (as Muntinlupa) |
| Narvacan Panthers | Narvacan | none | none | 2022 President's Cup | 2022 President's Cup |
| Nikkelham Valenzuela Workhorse | Valenzuela | WES Arena | 2,000 | 2024 President's Cup | 2024 President's Cup |
| Nueva Ecija Bespren | Nueva Ecija | San Leonardo Sports Gym | 5,000 | 2018 (Go Bespren) 2019-20 President's Cup |
2018 (Go Bespren) 2019-20 President's Cup |
| Nueva Ecija Rice Makers | Nueva Ecija | San Leonardo Sports Gym | 5,000 | 2019 | 2019 |
| One Cainta Titans | Cainta, Rizal | One Arena | N/A | 2019 | 2019 |
| Parañaque Aces | Parañaque | none | none | 2018 | 2022 President's Cup |
| Paranaque Smile 360 | Paranaque | San Dionisio Gymnasium Olivarez College Coliseum |
1,000 3,500 |
2024 President's Cup | 2024 President's Cup |
| Pasig El Pirata - Jekasa Sportswear | Pasig | none | none | 2019-20 President's Cup | 2019-20 President's Cup |
| Rizal Nationals | Rizal | Antipolo Sports Hub | 900 | 2018 | 2019 (only 2 games) |
| Pampanga Delta | Pampanga | Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center | 3,000 | 2019 | 2022 Chairman's Cup |
| Pasig Rios - Gameville | Pasig | MetroAsia Arena | N/A | 2019 | 2019 |
| Santa Rosa Lions | Santa Rosa, Laguna | Santa Rosa Sports Complex | 5,700 | 2022 President's Cup | 2023 President's Cup |
| Sulong Zambales @ Batang Gapo | Subic, Zambales | Subic Sports Complex | 1,000 | 2024 President's Cup | 2024 President's Cup |
| Quezon Barons | Quezon | none | none | 2021 Chairman's Cup | 2022 President's Cup |
| Quezon City All-Stars | Quezon City | none | none | 2022 Chairman's Cup | 2022 Chairman's Cup |
| Quezon City Defenders | Quezon City | Philadelphia High School Gym Pace Academy Gym AFP Wellness Center |
N/A | 2019-20 President's Cup | 2019-20 President's Cup |
| Quezon City Rising Stars | Quezon City | N/A | N/A | 2018 | 2019 |
| STAN District 4 Spartans | Quezon | none | none | 2021 Chairman's Cup | 2021 Chairman's Cup |
| Zambales Converge Fiber X-Men | Zambales | Botolan People's Plaza | 1,000 | 2019 | 2019 |
| Zambales Eruption | Zambales | none | none | 2023 Chairman's Cup | 2023 Chairman's Cup |
| Zamboanga Valientes | Zamboanga Peninsula | none | none | 2019 | 2021 Chairman's Cup |
| Zambales Constructicons | Zambales | none | none | 2025 Governor's Cup | 2025 President's Cup |
| Bacoor - Maximus Premium Feeds | Bacoor, Cavite | none | none | 2025 President's Cup | 2025 President's Cup |
| Quezon City Enforcers | Quezon City | SB Park Belarmino Sports Complex |
N/A | 2025 Governor's Cup | 2025 President's Cup |
| Santa Rosa Eridanus | Santa Rosa, Laguna | Dominican College Gymnasium | N/A | 2023 Chairman's Cup 2025 President's Cup |
2023 Chairman's Cup 2025 President's Cup |
NBL Youth teams
| 10u Teams | 12u Teams | 14u Teams | 16u Teams | 18u Teams | 21u Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Bosco JBC - Tarlac | Hustle Grind - Tarlac | Cob Sports - Tarlac | Hicming Hawks - Catanduanes | Agimat - Cavite South | LNU Dukes - Pangasinan |
| Team Cali Calabanga - Camarines Sur | Team Cali Calabanga - Camarines Sur | Adee's Place - Camarines Sur | Agimat - Cavite South | Arriba Iriga - Camarines Sur | Mambulao Jerseyland - Camarines Norte |
| Samahang Bangadz - Pangasinan | Kings Basketball - Camarines Norte | Green Mussels - Camarines Norte | Annunciation Panthers - Sorsogon | Hermanos All-Star - Camarines Sur | Acetown Valenzuela |
| Jump Point Hustle - Camarines Sur | Coach Soc Basketball - Region 2 | Jewelitas - Camarines Norte | Emeralds - Laguna District 1 | Imus AJAA Arsenal - Cavite North | Worldstar Lions - Region 2 |
| —N/a | YSSY Clean - Quezon Province | Pade Pade Soven - Camarines Sur | Team Bagyo - Ilocos Sur | Casa - Laguna District 1 | Boss Maeng - Cavite South |
| —N/a | SBT RF Flores - Pangasinan | Asingan - Pangasinan | Coach Christian Camp - Region 2 | Pilar - Sorsogon | Pangasinan Ang Galing |
| —N/a | Don Bosco Design - Makati | Maxon Cavaliers - NCR | Basista - Pangasinan | Under Dog - Region 2 | —N/a |
| —N/a | DJ Quality Cars - NCR | Pirates Ocean View - Catanduanes | Epic Eastprint - NCR | Rock & Fortress - Cavite North | —N/a |
| —N/a | Kolokoys Basketball - Quezon Province | Kolokoys Basketball - Quezon Province | Pangasinan Ang Galing | Binmaley - Pangasinan | —N/a |
| —N/a | Under Dog - Region 2 | Coach K - Region 2 | —N/a | LNU Dukes - Pangasinan | —N/a |
| —N/a | Raz V - Catanduanes | Silang Banaba - Cavite South | —N/a | White Oasis - Camarines Norte | —N/a |
| —N/a | San Juan Basketball - Sorsogon | Tagaytay Pride - Cavite South | —N/a | Narvacan - Ilocos Sur | —N/a |
| —N/a | Tagaytay Pride - Cavite South | Fresh Ballers Bulan - Sorsogon | —N/a | —N/a | —N/a |
| —N/a | Trishot Basketball - Camarines Sur | YSSY Clean - Quezon Province | —N/a | —N/a | —N/a |
| —N/a | —N/a | Own Style - Albay | —N/a | —N/a | —N/a |
| —N/a | —N/a | Pangasinan Athletics | —N/a | —N/a | —N/a |
List of champions
| Season / tournament | Champion | Series | Runner-up | Season MVP / Top performer | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Parañaque Aces | 2–1 | Dasmariñas Ballers | John Cantimbuhan | Dasmariñas Ballers |
| 2019 | Taguig Generals | 2–0 | Pampanga Delta | Shinichi Manacsa | Laguna Pistons |
| 2019–20 President's Cup | Converge Pampanga Delta | 3–1 | La Union PAOwer | CJ Gania | Converge Pampanga Delta |
| 2021 Chairman's Cup | Pampanga Delta (2) | 2–0 | La Union PAOwer | Biboy Enguio | Muntinlupa Water Warriors |
| 2022 President's Cup | Pampanga Delta (3) | 2–0 | Bulacan DF Republicans | Joseph Celso | Bulacan DF Republicans |
| 2022 Chairman's Cup | Taguig Generals (2) | 2–0 | La Union PAOwer | Jap Pambid | La Union PAOwer |
| 2023 President's Cup | Taguig Generals (3) | 3–0 | Luid Kapampangan | Lhancer Khan | Luid Kapampangan |
| 2023 Chairman's Cup | Taguig Generals (4) | 3–0 | CamSur Express | Lerry John Mayo | Taguig Generals |
| 2024 President's Cup | Taguig Generals (5) | 3–2 | CamSur Express | Mike Sampurna | Taguig Generals |
| 2025 Governor's Cup | Tikas Kapampangan | 3–2 | Taguig Generals | Lerry John Mayo | Taguig Generals |
| 2025 President's Cup | CamSur Express | 3–2 | Tikas Kapampangan | Lerry John Mayo | Taguig Generals |
| 2026 Governor's Cup |
NBL Youth champions
| Season / tournament | Champion | Score | Runner-up | Season MVP / Top performer | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 12U | Dasmarinas Monarchs | 64–57 | Pampanga Jr. Delta | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 17U | Pampanga Jr. Delta | 75–64 | Dasmarinas Monarchs | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 14U | Pampanga Jr. Delta | 69–43 | Emeralds Academy | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 16U 1st Conference | United Ballers | 76–75 | Pampanga Jr. Delta | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 16U 2nd Conference | Emeralds Academy | 64–62 | Epson EDSCI Green Knights | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 19U 1st Conference | Pampanga Jr. Delta | 85–70 | Caloocan Yengskivel | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 19U 2nd Conference | Caloocan Yengskivel | 93–83 | Montalban | N/A | N/A |
| 2023 10U (Inaugural Tournament – NBL Youth 3rd Conference) | Quezon City Troodons | 53–28 | Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan | Crixus Quijano | Infinite Basketball |
| 2023 12U (1st Tournament – NBL Youth 2nd Conference) | Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan | 72–60 | Hotshots Basketball | Samuel Esomchi | Jr. Muntinlupa |
| 2023 12U (2nd Tournament – NBL Youth 3rd Conference) | Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan | 74–66 | Lukkas Barber's | Peter Sebastian Ibe | Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan |
| 2023 14U 1st Conference | Luid ECP KGM Basic | 109–107 | Emeralds Academy | John Denver Sison | Luid ECP KGM Basic |
| 2023 14U 2nd Conference | Jr. Muntinlupa | 96–90 | Jr. KBA Luid Kapampangan | Jhelo Lumague | Hotshots Basketball |
| 2023 14U 3rd Conference | Hotshots Basketball | 103–72 | Infinite Basketball | Cael Barja | Hotshots Basketball |
| 2023 16U 1st Conference | Microsmith Elite | 84–52 | McMafie Bruins | Jhon Ken Atienza | Microsmith Elite |
| 2023 16U 2nd Conference | JILCF Red Arc | 90–87 | EZ Jersey Bruins | Erlan John Getigan | Yengskivel |
| 2023 16U 3rd Conference | Alab Knights | 59–56 | JILCF Red Arc | Erlan John Getigan | Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 |
| 2023 19U 1st Conference | NAPPCO EZ Jersey Bruins | 86–78 | JILCF Red Arc | Russell Ogana | JILCF Red Arc |
| 2023 19U 2nd Conference | JILCF Red Arc | 72–62 | TGC Aces | Patrick Rimbao | San Ignacio Basketball |
| 2023 19U 3rd Conference | TGC Aces | 100–99 | Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 | Matthew Toledo & Alan Gammuac | TGC Aces |
| 2023 21U 1st Conference | JRU Circus Music Festival | 90–72 | Luid Red Rose RAA | Karl Bench De Jesus | JRU Circus Music Festival |
| 2023 21U 2nd Conference | La Union PAOwer Hoopers | 78–74 | Quezon City Simos | Jessie Boy Pineda | La Union PAOwer Hoopers |
| 2023 21U 3rd Conference | NKT Raging Boyz | 97–91 | VS Meycauayan | Rhovin Fontanilla | La Union PAOwer Hoopers |
| 2025 10U National | Jump Point Hustle | 40–37 | Don Bosco JBC | Juan Carlos Rosero | Jump Point Hustle |
| 2025 12U National | SBT RF Flores | 70–60 | DJ Quality Cars | Carl Jefferson Perez | SBT RF Flores |
| 2025 14U National | Cob Sports | 62–55 | YSSY Clean | Mark Raven Cuenca | Cob Sports |
| 2025 16U National | Annunciation Panthers | 68–63 | Team Bagyo Ilocos Sur | Allen Jared Ballador | Annunciation Panthers |
| 2025 18U National | LNU Dukes | 99–95 | Binmaley | Kent Gabrielle Razon | LNU Dukes |
| 2025 21U National | LNU Dukes | forfeit | Acetown Valenzuela | none | none |
Official broadcasters
ALIW Channel 23, TAP Sports & Premier Sports 2 is the official broadcaster of the NBL Games. Games are also livestreamed via the league's official Facebook and YouTube accounts.
The games were aired internationally via GMA Pinoy TV and streamed on the Net 25 Facebook page during seasons 2 and 3.
See also
References
- Boehler, Dave. "Another cage league rises: NBL envisions self as 'land of opportunity' for Pinoy ballers". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
- "Focus on grassroots as another league set for launch". Spin.ph. August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- Go, Beatrice. "National Basketball League opens opportunities for homegrown talents". Rappler. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
- First women’s pro league in Philippines gets GAB nod, Joey Villar, The Philippine Star, August 26, 2020