To be known as the Crusaders, Iligan will be grouped with defending champion Tribu Sugbu (Cebu Tribes) of businessman Lito Gillamac, Ozamiz City Cotta of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Cagayan de Oro Stars of former governor Antonio Calingin, Iloilo Warriors of IBL president Robert Uy and Valencia Golden Harvest of Mayor Jose Galario.

Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz finalized his city’s participation in the country’s top regional league after meeting with NBC secretary general Tito Palma yesterday at Manila Peninsula Hotel.

"We believe we can form a competitive team, get good exposure for our city and boost sports development in Lanao del Norte through the NBC," said Mayor Cruz.

NBC president Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla welcomed the entry of Iligan. "This shows that NBC is indeed making headway in promoting regional basketball," said the reigning national pistol champion. "The entry of Iligan also opened the NBC to our Muslim brothers."

Iligan sports director Freddie Siao said "we’re excited with NBC’s approval of our application. Our people (in Lanao) are happy."

The Crusaders will use the 5,000-seat Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology gym as their homecourt.

Four teams have already signed up in the north division – Mayor Freddie Tinga’s Forward Taguig, the Laguna Spring of Padilla and Laguna Gov. Teresita "Ningning" Lazaro, the Baguio Cardinals of team manager Christian Bautista and the Parañaque Jets of Vice Mayor and actor-tv host Anjo Yllana.

Vying for the remaining two slots are Pampanga, La Union, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon and original member Batangas 29ers.