SOME of the best high school teams in the country clash in the National Basketball Training Center League national championship March 13 to 17 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
NBTC program director Eric Altamirano said the move to the Mall of Asia Arena was made possible by SM, now the program’s major backer.
“Napakasuwerte ng mga bata na makakalaro sila sa Mall of Asia Arena,” said Altamirano during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum. Previous editions of the tournament were held at The Arena in San Juan.
Twelve teams that will come out from the regional qualifiers from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and National Capital Region will play in Division 1, while Division 2 will make a return this year.
Aside from the championship, All-Star games in Divisions 1 and 2 are ging to be held.
“We invite all the college coaches. We put premium in giving the players the exposure to showcase their talent. Ang goal talaga natin especially the provincial teams is matulungan sila at makapag-aral sila sa mga big schools and open up opportunities for them,” said Altamirano.
“Marami na ang nag-benefit na mga players na nasa UAAP and the NCAA. We are also proud to say na meron na tayong mga products na nasa PBA,” said Altamirano, who mentioned Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra and Baser Amer of Meralco as products of the program.
NBTC also held a convention for coaches from 48 cities last October.