NBTC expects competitive Division 1 tilt

NBTC and SBP Officials during the National High School Championship presser. Photo Randolph B. Leongson

With an eye geared towards the future, SM National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League continues its commitment to cultivating the next basketball stars through grassroots development on its 10th year.

NBTC program director Eric Altamirano promises an exciting four-day National High School Championship, where the league will crown champions in its two divisions.

“We are looking forward to a very fruitful season,” he said Tuesday in the league’s press conference at Buffalo Wild Wings in Capitol Commons, Pasig.

Eight teams will battle it out in Division 1, while 16 squads fight for the plum in Division 2 of the tournament, set to be held at Mall of Asia Arena and Palm Coast Marina from March 13 to 16.

Leading the fray in Division 1 are Metro Manila Basketball League champion San Beda College, NCAA juniors titlist Malayan High School of Science, UAAP juniors king Far Eastern University, and CESAFI juniors champ Sacred Heart School. Joining them are international squads Filam Sports USA, Crossover Sports Canada, AusPinoy One Solutions, and Camp David New Zealand.

“I expect Division 1 to be very exciting. The team from the US will have very competitive team and I look forward to our teams playing the international teams,” said Altamirano.

Division 1 teams were divided to two groups, with the top two in each group advancing to the semifinals.

Division 2, meanwhile, will showcase some of the best athletes from the provinces, with powerhouse squads De La Salle Lipa, St. Jude College Cavite, and Ateneo de Davao all competing.

The 16 teams were distributed to four groups, with the top seeds progressing to the semifinals.

The culmination of the league will be on March 16 at Mall of Asia Arena, with the All-Star Games set at 9 a.m., followed by the All-Star side events at 1 p.m., before the National Finals for both divisions at 2 p.m.

But more than the competition, Altamirano said this is the players and the coaches’ chance to be discovered, gain exposure, and possibly, set themselves up for a brighter future as they try to make their names in the high school level.

“I had a chance to go around and I saw that there’s a lot of talents. They’re out there waiting to be discovered and waiting for the opportunity,” he said. “One of the goals here is to help the kids in reaching their dreams of playing high level basketball. If they won’t pursue that, at least we’ll be able to help them finish their school and pursue other careers. That will already be a big thing for us.”