BY ABBY TORALBA
MOTHBALLED in the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Smart-NBTC National Finals is making a return, bringing the best Filipino high school players from the local scene and abroad.
The 2023 NBTC National Finals will kick off on March 15 to 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena with 24 teams that will not only feature school-based squads but also club teams.
“After three years of hiatus, we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the National basketball training center back. It’s always been our mission to put the spotlight on the grassroots level of Philippine basketball and after 13 years that remains the same,” Eric Altamirano, program head of NBTC, said yesterday during the press launch of the tilt at the Premiere Cafe in MOA.
“We firmly believe that in investing in the future now can only set us up for the brighter tomorrow,” he added.
Two teams from the UAAP and two from the NCAA, yet to be named as the two leagues are in play, banner the field.
Also set to see action are Team United USA, Fil-Nation Select USA, Winnipeg Canada, Toronto Canada, Homegrown Crusaders Australia, Rome Elite Italy, Pinoy Mavs New Zealand, Dubai Patriots.
Team Tarlac, Batang Tiaong, PCU Cavite, St. Benilde International School, Royal Star Trading Don Bosco, Doc Boleros, Holy Trinity College, Level Up Team Abro, SHS-Ateneo Cebu Ladmaster, Pampanga Delta, University of Luzon Dagupan and Batangas will complete the list of combatants.
The league also announced the first-ever Smart-NBTC Girls Have Next, powered by Fil-Nation Select, which will be participated in by eight high school girls teams from March 15-17 at Pretty Huge in Taguig then will move to the MOA Arena for the finals on March 19.
The 2023 Smart-NBTC National Finals is presented by SM, Strong Realty and Development Corp., Under Armour, and Molten, with Tecno, Regent, Rebel Sports Pilipinas, MNL Kingpin, Gatorade, Swish App, Victory Liner, Darlington, Coach E Basketball School, Lighthouse Events, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as sponsors.
Also present in the media conference are Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas deputy executive director Butch Antonio, PLDT First Vice President and Head of Sports Jude Turcuato, SM Prime Chairman of Executive Committee Hans Sy, Under Armour Head of Marketing Jojo Neri-Estacio, NBTC Special Projects Head Anton Altamirano, and Smart-NBTC Girls Have Next tournament director Mau Belen.
