PBA legend Benjie Paras has been named commissioner of the newly launched Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC).
PBA legend Benjie Paras is set to lead the next generation of Filipino hoopers as the inaugural commissioner of the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC).
Paras, the only player in PBA history to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season, will spearhead the league alongside Deputy Commissioner Paolo Layug—a champion coach in the 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,” said Paras. “Coaches will now have direct access to young talent, and player profiles will also be easily available on social media.”
The PYBC aims to be a game-changer in Philippine grassroots basketball by offering structure and analytics usually reserved for elite international systems.
The league’s digital innovations include halftime and post-game team analysis, detailed player performance breakdowns, and advanced metrics identifying individual strengths and areas for growth.
“In today’s technology, this is what players need. Data and analytics help players to work harder, play harder, and also build their confidence,” said Paras.
A pioneering feature of the PYBC is its age-based player rankings, modeled after systems used in the U.S. and Europe. Villanueva, a former athlete himself, said the goal is to move beyond just playing games and toward measurable development.
“Our vision is to create a platform where players can grow, not just compete,” Villanueva said. “Performance analytics give athletes and coaches the feedback they need to improve consistently. It’s about playing with purpose.”
More than just a league, the PYBC promises to be a development hub for aspiring student-athletes.
The first season will run from August 2025 to June 2026, with two conferences spanning rotating age divisions. The opening conference will feature the 11-Under (born 2014), 13-Under (born 2012), and 15-Under (born 2010) divisions.
It will follow a single round-robin elimination format, followed by quarterfinals, knockout semifinals, and a best-of-three finals series.
“Our ultimate goal,” Villanueva added, “is to create an environment where kids evolve — physically, mentally, and skill-wise. And with the help of technology and leadership from someone like Benjie Paras, we’re confident we can deliver on that promise.”