The cage legend expressed great elation to the birth of regional leagues such as Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), the National Basketball League (NBL), and the newly formed Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup as he told the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.

“The more, the merrier. Mas mai-involve yung mga kabataan natin sa sports. Magiging healthy sila and some of them can pursue their studies through sports,” Fernandez said.

PBA has always become the dream of many basketball aspirants in the Philippines but the existence of several regional leagues has provided them with a different platform. 

He should know, after all, the opportunities the leagues can offer since Fernandez became the founding commissioner of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).

“That’s a very welcome news for us, especially for me. Every time I go to the provinces, I always encourage the LGUs, the leaders, and even the youth to get themselves in sports. You can never go wrong when you’re in sports,” said the four-time PBA MVP.

Fernandez, though, urged the officials of these leagues to learn from the rise and fall of other leagues to avoid such circumstances happening in the leagues. 

Specifically, the MBA, which only lasted from 1998-2002 despite receiving huge fan support and the many stars it produced that includes Rommel Adducul, John Ferriols, and Eddie Laure, and later on guys like Willie Miller, Dondon Hontiveros, and Reynel Hugnatan.

In addition, Fernandez shared to look into the successful pro leagues like the NBA and the PBA. 

“What they have to do is study and look at the NBA set-up and PBA set-up. Although they’re two entirely different business models, they just have to look at that, yung organization kung paano na-set up para magpatuloy ang mga liga nila,” he added.

More than anything else, the rise of these leagues can provide great influence and hope especially to the youth says Fernandez. 

“Welcome ‘yan. The more leagues, the better. Mas busy ang kabataan natin and it will keep themselves healthy and away from drugs and other vices,” he ended.