Cancellation of Country-Wide Basketball League (CWBL) frustrates coaches, players
Players and coaches alike have profoundly felt the backlash of the cancellation of the much-anticipated Country-Wide Basketball League (CWBL).
Speaking to Cebu Daily News yesterday, Cebu Landmasters-Bogo City Head Coach Jun Tan said that the recent development has no doubt dampened the spirits of his players and of management, which was prepared to throw their all-out support into this endeavor.
“It’s a very sad development. All of us were preparing well. The players were really working hard to get themselves in tip-top condition, and management was ready as well. In fact, the quarters where the players were supposed to stay in has been completed,” shared the veteran mentor.
The CWBL was supposed to unveil its maiden season on August 6. However, in a shocking turn of events, the league’s major backer, media giant ABS-CBN, pulled out its support citing financial troubles, leaving the CWBL in the lurch.
Tan added that he understood where his players were coming from.
For some, the CWBL represented a chance to showcase their talent to the national stage. For others, it was an opportunity for one last shot at making it back to the professional ranks.
Several Cebuano players could not help but express their utter disappointment with the league’s cancellation.
Marty Pearce, a former guard of the Far Eastern University, said that he and the rest of his teammates in the Bogo City team have worked so hard to deserve this fate.
“Grabe ang pagpa-kundisyon namin tapos wala pala,” the shifty 5-foot-10 guard said.
M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños Head Coach Yayoy Alcoseba, was more direct to the point with his comments.
“It is disappointing,” the multi-titled mentor said in a text message to CDN.
His team was composed mainly of standouts from the University of the Visayas and Southwestern University.
One of those players, the hulking Edrian Lao, who has previously played for Cagayan Valley in the PBA D-League, said that the CWBL represented a chance to play professional basketball once again without having to leave his hometown.
Alwyn Aguirre, an energetic forward from UV, said it best when it came to describing the league’s direction.
“Paasa,” he said.