MANILA, Philippines – Regional high school champions collide as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Under-16 National Championship gets going Sunday at the University of Baguio (UB) gym.
Holy Child and La Union College of Nursing and Arts Sciences tangle at 9 a.m. to start the 10-game bill of the tournament featuring 12 schools in the boys’ division and five in the girls’ side.
“This kicks off SBP’s grassroots development program for this year,” said SBP executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios at the PSA Forum recently.
Barrios said more tournaments have been lined up such as the National 3-on-3 tournament, National Under-18 Championship and the Philippine National Games in Iloilo City in a bid to develop the younger age groups.
“We have more than adequate programs in the higher levels, like the UAAP, NCAA, PCCL and other collegiate and amateur commercial leagues,” said Barrios.
Other matches on opening day will pit Claret School of Zamboanga (MBR-C) against International School for Better Beginnings (Quezon) at 11 a.m. and St. Agnes Academy (Albay/Bicol) versus St. Clare College (NCR) at 1 p.m. at the EC gym.
Also tangling in the boys’ division are Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori (CDO/MBR) and St. Bridget College (Batangas/LLBR) at 2:30 p.m.; University of Baguio (CAR) and University of Santo Tomas (NCR) at 4 p.m.; and St. John
Institute (Bacolod) and University of Visayas (Cebu) at 5:30 p.m.
In the girls’ matches, Assumption College of Davao (Mindanao) and JDV Sr. Memorial National High School (Dagupan) clash at 10:30 a.m.; while St. Clare College (Caloocan) battle St. Louis University Laboratory High School (Baguio) at 2:30 p.m.