Digicel has provided a further boost to basketball in the Cayman Islands by becoming the sponsors of the Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL.)
The Philippine Amateur Basketball League-Cayman Islands was formed on June 12, 2004 with 11 teams. Prior to 2004, the Philippine league consisted of half-court tournaments with 4 players on each team. However, due to a large increase in participants in 2004, it was decided that the organization would become more competitive and play whole court games. Consequently, the best PABL players are now chosen to be part of a Philippine team that plays in the Digicel/Wendy’s Men’s League organized by the Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA.)
Although the 2004 tournament marked the first time that the PABL played whole court games, the tournament was put to an end due to the disastrous effects of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. The PABL is now working to rebuild the tournament and raise the level of competition in anticipation of a team competing in the upcoming Digicel/Wendy’s Men’s League.
Committee member and treasurer of the PABL Mr. Noel Gonzales said, ‘The purpose of the whole league is to provide training and qualification to the official Philippine team entry to the CIBA league. Philippine team players will come from different participating PABL teams that are currently playing against each other to win the PABL championship. With the participation of 10 teams, the popularity of the PABL is growing very quickly. Furthermore, we intend to continue to support the CIBA in its efforts to make basketball the premier sport of the Cayman Islands.’
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