PalawanPay remains committed to Grassroots and Sports Development, forms partnership with Philippine Youth Basketball Championship

PalawanPay x PYBC

The Palawan Group of Companies, through its e-wallet arm PalawanPay, remains committed towards grassroots sports development, as it lends its support towards the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) as a Platinum Sponsor.

The PYBC is one of the newest youth-oriented basketball leagues in the country, with their emphasis towards combining traditional coaching elements with data-driven analytics. 

Such a partnership underscores PGoC's commitment in empowering the next generation of Filipino athletes by providing opportunities to develop their skills, showcase their talent, and live out the values of sportsmanship.

As such, in supporting the PYBC, PalawanPay hopes to strengthen grassroots basketball programs and ensure that young players have access to opportunities that nurture growth. It builds on the Palawan Group’s long-standing advocacy for sports development and investing in the youth, as they believe investing in sports not only develops champions on the court, but also empowers Filipino youth to become champions in life.

According to Palawan Group's Chief Financial Officer Lilian Castro-Selda, "At Palawan Group, we have always believed in grassroots development. Whether in financial services, education, or sports, our mission is to empower Filipinos to build a brighter future. That is why partnering with PYBC is both a commitment and a privilege. It is our greatest honor to take part in giving Filipino youth the chance to dream, to learn, and to grow — both on and off the court. To our young athletes: basketball is more than just a game. Every time you put on your jersey, you carry values that will serve you for life — discipline, teamwork, resilience, grit, and respect. These are the same values we live by at the Palawan Group, and we are proud to support you as you strengthen them through sports."

To highlight such commitment, PGoC representatives were present at a fellowship lunch hosted by the league that included young basketball players from across the country, along with their respective families and coaches.

At said lunch, PYBC Commissioner and Palawan Group ambassador Benjie Paras shared this message: "You’re all very lucky that this is your opportunity to be scouted by coaches and to be backed by our generous sponsors. My advice is this: in any league that you play in, you need to be committed. And when I say committed, that means putting in hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and of course, love for the game."

Also gracing the event are fellow basketball greats in Ronnie Magsanoc, Rico Maierhofer, and Jayjay Helterbrand, sharing ancedotes and providing inspirational messages.

In addition, league officials, led by Tournament Director Carl Villanueva and Deputy Commissioner Paulo Layug recognized key partners with certificates of appreciation, emphasizing their value in ensuring the PYBC's success.

The league already has its first conference ongoing until October, with action in three division: under-11, under-13, and under-15 divisions.