By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has appointed Anthony Carlo Agustin as Zone 7 director to oversee basketball development in the Negros Island Region (NIR), covering Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
The appointment, effective February 1, was made by SBP Executive Director Erika Dy as part of the federation’s nationwide restructuring program aimed at strengthening grassroots and regional basketball development.
According to SBP, Agustin will serve as a direct extension of the executive director’s office in the region to ensure national programs are properly implemented at the local level.
Under the new structure, the Philippines is divided into 14 zones, each led by a zone director responsible for talent identification, player development, coaching education, technical training, and organizing major competitions such as the SBP National Junior Championships and SBP Pambansang Tatluhan.
To support the rollout of programs in Zone 7, Agustin named three assistant zone directors to oversee key development areas.
Dexter Dy was appointed to handle talent identification and player development, bringing extensive experience in grassroots basketball, coaching and scouting.
Venancio “Benny” Lachica, an SBP national referee from Negros Occidental, will oversee technical development, including officiating standards and training.
Meanwhile, Coach Patrick Nicholas “Nico” Lopingco was named assistant zone director for coaches’ development, focusing on education, certification and mentoring of coaches.
At the provincial level, Coach Mark Jomalesa was appointed SBP provincial director for Negros Occidental.
A former West Negros University men’s team coach, Jomalesa previously guided the school to an NOPSSCEA championship and will be responsible for implementing SBP programs locally.
Agustin also named several provincial coordinators to support specific development programs.
Bernard Suante, Jr. will oversee talent identification and player development efforts, while Coach Edwin John Dennis “Denden” Velez will handle coaches’ development.
Christopher Lofranco was appointed provincial coordinator for technical development, bringing experience as a longtime tournament director and school sports official.
SBP said appointments for Negros Oriental and Siquijor are ongoing to complete the regional leadership structure.
Agustin said the expanded leadership team will help strengthen coordination and ensure alignment with SBP’s national goals.
“The appointment of assistant zone directors allows us to implement programs more effectively, coordinate across provinces, and align closely with SBP’s national vision,” Agustin said.
“Our goal is to build a unified pathway for every young athlete in the region — one rooted in opportunity, integrity and love for the game,” he added.
One of Agustin’s first initiatives included organizing and shortlisting players from the region for the Batang Gilas youth national team tryouts held in Cebu City on February 21 and 22. The tryouts featured under-18 and under-16 prospects, with selected players advancing to invitation-only evaluation sessions.
SBP technical academy head Andrew Teh also visited the Zone 7 headquarters on February 10 to meet with regional officials and inspect facilities in Bacolod City as part of preparations for the possible hosting of FIBA U-18 Asia Cup games.
SBP said the restructuring initiative aims to strengthen grassroots basketball through closer coordination with local government units, schools and sports organizations, while expanding opportunities for young athletes and improving the overall development system nationwide./ASC, WDJ