Manila, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen Philippines team is now officially a member of the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) family. The team made an official announcement in Manilla today on the 6th of July 2011 that they will be joining South East Asia’s inter-nation professional basketball league in Season 3.
Mr. Ramon Ang, President and CEO of San Miguel commented, “We are honoured to be apart of the ABL as it is fastest growing league in SEA today. Our aim is to strengthen the brand in the region and we are mindful that we are representing the nation in this league. I would like to thank ABL for welcoming us as this gives us opportunities to reach out to customers and fans throughout the SEA.”
Together with young collegians, ex- players and current players of the PBA, the team will be ready to give the other teams a tough challenge as they are aiming to win the Season 3 championship. With more teams in the league, this will also include more games during the regular season in which regional fans can now look forward to a bigger and longer season.
With San Miguel joining in, the league will now have 2 Philippine based teams along with the AirAsia Philippine Patriots who were the runners up to the 2nd Season. Other teams also participating in the league include last season’s champions, Chang Thailand Slammers together with Satria Muda BritAma, Singapore Slingers, Brunei Barracudas, and Westport’s KL Dragons.
Mario Wuysang, Point Guard of Indonesia’s current ABL team Satria Muda added: “It is great that San Miguel is joining the ABL, to have a PBA team joining is exciting for us as players and i believe for the fans in the region as well. I also believe it will take the competitive level up another notch. So I’m personally excited and eager to take on the challenge.”
Mr. Goh Cheng Huat, head coach of the Westports KL Dragons from Malaysia in Season 2 said, “the league will be more exciting, competitive and challenging for the teams as we have an additional new team, as it is also good for the league as it shows that the league is growing in the region.”
Mr. Khun Surasak Chinawatana, the team owner of the Chang Thailand Slammers and the President of the Thailand Basketball Association added, “I would like to give a warm welcome to San Miguel in joining ABL next season. Their participation in next season’s league would only make the ABL games more competitive and entertaining for each and everyone of us. We look forward to an exciting season ahead!”
San Miguel’s strategic move to join the team will also be a great marketing push for its brand in the South East Asia market as they will have a good platform to promote their products in the region as well as to represent their nation in the ABL.
Singapore Slingers General Manager Michael Johnson added “The announcement that a team with the power and quality of the San Miguel brand is joining the ABL in 2012 is a great step forward for the league. I also believe it is a great step for San Miguel who will be able to showcase their team’s talent and brand throughout SE Asia in a week to week regional league.”
Mr. Erick Thohir, President of the South East Asia Basketball Association commented, “It is an honour for us to have San Miguel in the league as it is one of the biggest brands in SEA and with this we continue to build basketball in the SEA. With all the talent that we have in SEA and with competition, one day we will have a team whom will represent ASIA in the world of basketball.”
Mr. Bobby Parks, a legend in the Philippines basketball scene has been selected as the best person to lead the San Miguel Beermen Philippines team.
The 3rd Season of the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League is scheduled to start on 14th of January in 2012 with the Chang Thailand Slammers trying to defend their championship title and national pride from old rivals and competitive newcomers.
