Basketball legend Benjie Paras will headline the launch of the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) as league commissioner. This new nationwide grassroots league kicks off in August 2025 and focuses on development through structure and innovation.

Joining him are WMBPL champion coach Paolo Layug as deputy commissioner and Carl Villanueva, founder of Momentum PH, as tournament director. Together, they aim to introduce a long-term platform that supports young Filipino basketball talent with tech-driven performance analysis.

League structure combines tradition and technology

Paras believes the PYBC will help young players get discovered instead of waiting for opportunities to come. “Coaches from schools can easily scout and recruit because players’ performance will be visible and accessible,” he said.

The PBA legend, who remains the only player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season, emphasized the importance of data. He said that performance analytics can motivate players to train harder and play smarter.

The league promises halftime team analysis, post-game reports, individual stat reviews, and advanced metrics. Each player will also be evaluated and ranked by age group using models based on U.S. and European systems.

PYBC to introduce player rankings in grassroots scene

Tournament director Carl Villanueva shared that PYBC draws inspiration from global programs. “We want a system that not only holds players accountable but also helps coaches and parents track measurable progress,” he said.

He added that ranking systems provide clear goals and shift the mindset from just winning games to long-term development. He said the goal is to nurture kids mentally, physically, and skill-wise with the help of data.

The inaugural PYBC season will run from August 2025 to June 2026, split into two conferences. It will feature 11-under, 13-under, and 15-under divisions with rotating formats and playoffs ending in a best-of-three finals.