Philippine basketball icon LA Tenorio is optimistic that the Next Generation Basketball League (NGBL) will help the high school hoopers of today become the country’s future homegrown superstars.

Before he became the PBA’s “Iron Man,” an eight-time champion, a four-time Finals MVP, and a Gilas Pilipinas standout, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star first honed his skills with the San Beda Red Cubs under the legendary high school coach Ato Badolato.

That is why Tenorio, who is the NGBL’s Tournament Director, wants the present crop of HS stars to have a platform to show their skills even beyond the top juniors leagues that exist today.

“We promise everyone the exposure kasi napakalaking bagay ng exposure sa high school players. Ako, galing ako sa high school program ng San Beda. Napakalaking bagay ng homegrown na galing high school,” he said. “Hindi katulad ngayon na halos karamihan ng collegiate stars galing abroad.”

LA then went on to win a championship with San Beda and eventually made himself one of the most sought-after talents during his stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and his path to success is what the NGBL is looking to offer for the best under-19 stars of today.

“Ngayon kasi, nawawalan na ng opportunities yung mga homegrown high school players. Why? Because of the lack of exposure. Kulang na kulang. Pero I truly believe na marami tayong talent dito sa Pilipinas,” he emphasized.

Tenorio, alongside NGBL Commissioner and PBA legend Ronnie Magsanoc, Executive Committee Chairman and San Miguel Sports Director Alfrancis Chua, Program Director Bonnie Tan of NorthPort, and Operations Manager & PBA Chief Statistician Fidel Mangonon III, will be overseeing the league which is set to feature 15 of the top schools of the country.

Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, National University, and the University of the East will headline the UAAP side of the league which is also manned by Executive Committee members Bigboy Cheng and Eric Ang, who head the Production and Finance groups, respectively,

Meanwhile, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, San Beda University, La Salle Greenhills, Mapua University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Arellano University, Jose Rizal University, and Lyceum of the Philippines University comprise the NCAA squads of the NGBL which is supported by Uratex, Verleo, Tanduay, World Balance, Gatorade, Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas as official league outfitter, and RICAuPVC Aluminium Glass and Trading Corp.

Also among the participants of the league which opens on August 11 at the Tanduay Gym in Manila are Xavier School and MGC New Life Christian Academy. All Sunday and holiday games will be held at the same venue.

What is at stake in the inaugural NGBL, which will be holding its Saturday games at the Aero Center in Quezon, is the all-or-nothing Php 300,000 cash prize at the end of the first season.

But before this, the squads will be divided into two groups with each group having a single round-robin elimination. The Top 4 teams per group will then advance to the crossover knockout quarterfinals. The semifinals and the Finals will also be determined via KO games.