By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will conduct a series of free basketball development programs in Bacolod City alongside the staging of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers 2026.
The regional tournament is scheduled from June 2 to 6, with Bacolod hosting some of Southeast Asia’s top young women’s basketball prospects.
In addition to the competition, SBP and its Zone 7 Regional Office will offer training and educational activities aimed at coaches, game officials, athletes, and members of the local basketball community.
One of the featured programs is a coaching clinic led by veteran mentor and NLEX Road Warriors head coach Jong Uichico.
The two-day session will be held on June 2 and 3 at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Covered Court from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
The clinic is designed to help local coaches enhance their knowledge of modern basketball systems, player development, and game management through lessons from one of the country’s most accomplished basketball tacticians.
SBP said the initiative reflects its continued focus on strengthening the sport at the grassroots level by investing in coach education and long-term player development.
The federation will also organize separate training sessions for referees, table officials and statisticians at STI – West Negros University from June 2 to 4.
Participants will receive technical instruction and updates aligned with current international basketball standards.
Kids clinic
Meanwhile, young female players will get a chance to train with members of the Gilas Pilipinas U18 women’s team during a Girls’ Kids Clinic on June 5 at the MICES Gym.
The activity, scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., will be supervised by national youth team head coach Sandy Arespacochaga and members of the Philippine squad currently preparing for international competition.
Organizers said the clinic aims not only to develop basketball skills but also to encourage more girls to participate in sports and pursue opportunities in the game.
SBP officials noted that the programs form part of the federation’s broader effort to expand basketball development across the country and create learning opportunities for communities hosting major events.
By bringing together coaches, officials, players, and aspiring athletes, the federation hopes to strengthen basketball programs in the Negros Island Region and leave a lasting impact beyond the tournament itself.
The FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers will serve as both a regional competition and a platform for education, development and community engagement as Bacolod welcomes teams and basketball stakeholders from across Southeast Asia./ASC, WDJ