PBA Legend Benjie Paras named Commissioner of Philippine Youth Basketball Championship

Philippine basketball legend Benjie Paras is set to spearhead a new era in grassroots hoops, taking on the role of Commissioner for the newly launched Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC). 

This groundbreaking league, set to tip off in August 2025, aims to revolutionize youth basketball development in the country by combining competitive action with advanced analytics and structured training.

Paras, the only player in PBA history to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game to his new role. 

He will lead the PYBC alongside Deputy Commissioner Paolo Layug, a champion coach in the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMBPL), and Tournament Director Carl Villanueva, founder of Momentum PH.

“Having PYBC will help players expose their talent and skills, instead of waiting to be discovered,” Paras stated, emphasizing the league’s mission to provide a direct pathway for young talents. “Coaches will now have direct access to young talent, and player profiles will also be easily available on social media.”

The PYBC is designed to be a game-changer by integrating digital innovations and data-driven insights typically found in elite international basketball systems. This includes:

• Halftime and post-game team analysis: Providing immediate feedback for strategic adjustments.
• Detailed player performance breakdowns: Offering in-depth insights into individual strengths and areas for improvement.
• Advanced metrics: Utilizing sophisticated data to identify key performance indicators.
• Age-based player rankings: A pioneering feature in Philippine youth hoops, modeled after systems used in the U.S. and Europe, to provide measurable development and clear goals for young athletes.

“In today’s technology, this is what players need. Data and analytics help players to work harder, play harder, and also build their confidence,” Paras added, highlighting the importance of objective feedback in a player’s growth journey.

Tournament Director Carl Villanueva, a former athlete himself, underscored the league’s philosophy: 

“Our vision is to create a platform where players can grow, not just compete. Performance analytics give athletes and coaches the feedback they need to improve consistently. It’s about playing with purpose.”

Benjie Paras to lead Philippine Youth Basketball Championship as Commissionerhttps://t.co/XcLJ0CxlD2

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) June 30, 2025

The inaugural season of the PYBC will run from August 2025 to June 2026, featuring two conferences with rotating age divisions. 

The first conference, scheduled from August to October, will showcase the Under-11 (born 2014), Under-13 (born 2012), and Under-15 (born 2010) divisions. The format will include a single round-robin elimination, followed by quarterfinals, knockout semifinals, and a best-of-three finals series.

This initiative is poised to be more than just a competition; it aims to be a comprehensive development hub for aspiring student-athletes, providing them with the tools and exposure needed to reach their full potential. 

With Benjie Paras at the helm, the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship is set to usher in a new era of structured, analytical, and purposeful grassroots basketball in the country.

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