Mandaluyong City: The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA) have joined forces to develop wheelchair basketball across the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, SBP executive director Erika Dy and PHILSPADA president Michael Barredo signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Saturday to advance opportunities for differently abled athletes, coaches, and officials in basketball at the SBP headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

'This partnership is a commitment to inclusivity, national development and the transformative power of basketball,' Dy said in a news release Saturday. 'SBP is proud to stand with PHILSPADA in creating platforms where every athlete, regardless of ability, has the chance to excel in the sport of basketball.'

The MOU is in effect until the end of the current Olympic cycle or up to August 2028, and is guided by shared values of collaboration, respect, and autonomy. It outlines a comprehensive framework for mutual support, communication, and sustainability.

Under the agreement, SBP will provide access to professional training and development opportunities for PHILSPADA coaches, as well as support for events, clinics, and tournaments. Both parties committed to co-develop and manage inclusive programs, enhance access to basketball venues, and jointly promote wheelchair basketball as a vital part of the country's basketball ecosystem.

'This MOU is more than just a document -- it is a pledge to uphold equality in basketball,' Barredo said. 'PHILSPADA is excited to work alongside SBP in building a more inclusive sporting future with wheelchair basketball. Wheelchair basketball is basketball and Filipinos love basketball.'