# National Basketball League (Philippines)

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 will feature an away-and-home format and will focus on giving homegrown players (aged 18–29 years old and a bonafide resident of the team's province, city or municipality) an opportunity to showcase their skills in the hope of making it to the professional and semi-professional leagues.
The league began its inaugural season on August 25, 2018, with 10 teams from Luzon. Games were played every Saturdays and Sundays. 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. (only Bulacan, Iriga, Rizal, Zambales, Imus & Cainta begged off from competing, while Marikina Best Shoemakers are returning 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. Both leagues will start its first season as a professional league in 2021.
After getting the green light to start from the Games and Amusements Board, 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 / Team Governor | Head coach |
| CamSur Express | Camarines Sur | 2018 | Fuerte Sports Complex | 3,000 | Gov. Luigi Villafuerte / Engr. Solomon Ngo | Genesius Molto |
| Nikkelham Valenzuela Workhorse | Valenzuela | 2024 President's Cup | WES Arena | 2,000 | Jericho Ajero | Erwin Tangunan |
| Nueva Ecija Granary Buffalos | Nueva Ecija | 2024 President's Cup | Nueva Ecija Coliseum | 5,500 | Hon. Emmanuel Antonio Umali | Marc Lynn Ingusan |
| Paranaque Smile 360 | Paranaque | 2024 President's Cup | San Dionisio Gymnasium Olivarez College Coliseum | 1,000 3,500 | Michael Gonzales & Nikko Pagsisihan | Mark Galicia |
| Taguig City Generals | Taguig | 2018 | Cong. Jun Duenas Gymnasium | 2,000 | Hon. Lani Cayetano | Bing Victoria |
| Tikas Kapampangan | Pampanga | 2024 President's Cup | Colegio De Sebastian Gymnasium | 1,000 | Aya Gopez | Gerry Flores |
| Sulong Zambales @ Batang Gapo | Subic, Zambales | 2024 President's Cup | Subic Sports Complex | 1,000 | Jessie Gonzales | Elgin Espina |

## 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Eridanus | Santa Rosa, Laguna | Dominican College Gymnasium | N/A | 2023 Chairman's Cup | 2023 Chairman's Cup |
| Santa Rosa Lions | Santa Rosa, Laguna | Santa Rosa Sports Complex | 5,700 | 2022 President's Cup | 2023 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 |

### NBL Youth teams

| 10u Teams | 12u Teams | 14u Teams | 16u Teams | 19u Teams | 21u Teams |
| Infinite Basketball | Hotshots Basketball | Infinite Basketball | Alab Knights | TGC Aces | 4 Hoops G Mavs |
| KBA Luid Kapampangan | KBA Luid Kapampangan | KBA Luid Kapampangan | Infinite Basketball | Infinite Basketball | Batang Norte |
| Troodons Sports Pilipinas | Infinite Basketball | Hotshots Basketball | Junior Pistons A2Z | SBL Cavite | La Union Paower Hoopers |
| Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 | Lukkas Barber's | The Rookie Basketball | JILCF Red Arc | Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 | VS Meycauayan |
| — | The Rookie Basketball | Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 | The Rookie Basketball | — | NKT Raging Boyz |
| — | Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 | — | Yengskivel JBZ Zone 14 | — | Makimira Kool Gals |
| — | — | — | — | — | Muntinlupa |

## 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 Commissioner'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 |
| 2024 10U 1st Conference | | | | | |
| 2024 12U 1st Conference | | | | | |
| 2024 14U 1st Conference | | | | | |
| 2024 16U 1st Conference | | | | | |
| 2024 19U 1st Conference | | | | | |
| 2024 21U 1st Conference | | | | | |

## Official broadcasters

ALIW 23 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.