SM helps in sponsoring NBTC National Finals 2018 to help grow youth Basketball

"SM has been proudly supporting NBTC since 2015, as we believe in what they stand for: to champion the skills of the Filipino youth through sports development by applying the values of leadership, teamwork, excellence, and discipline. This is why we extended our support to NBTC, so that we can help more Filipino youth reach their true potential." ~Hans T. Sy, SMPHI Chairman of the Executive Committee

Mall of Asia Arena is truly the home of the most popular sport in the Philippines - basketball - as the major leagues that players aim for are all under one eye-conic roof. SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), through SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI), continues on its partnership with International Basketball Academy of the Philippines (IBAP) as the principal sponsor of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League.

"Every year that we have been organizing the tournament, we have refined it to what it is now - a premier showcase for high school basketball. ~Eric Altamirano, SM-NBTC Founder

During the Press conference of the SM-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League where both SM and NBTC officials renewed their pledge and extending their partnership to an additional three (3) more years of continuing to champion the skills of the Filipino youth through sports development.  Also discussed is the upcoming SM-NBTC League Finals happening now from March 19-23, 2018 at the Mall of Asia.

"As part of the SM group, Mall of Asia Arena is also in proud support of SM-NBTC League by providing a venue with world-class facilities." ~Herman Medina-Cue, SMLEI Chief Operating Officer

Some of the basketball players who started with NBTC and now moved successfully to collegiate and professional leagues are:

• Kiefer Ravena
• Terrence Romeo
• Jeron Teng
• Troy Rosario

NBTC is already on its 11th season, a year-round grassroots program that aims to identify, prepare, and develop outstanding players in public and private high schools around the country by being part of a national youth basketball league.

 With Kai Sotto

The weeklong national finals and the annual high school all-star game gears up with 32 high school basketball teams, including champion teams from various leagues all over the Philippines, as well as from Filipino communities based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America, all competing to stand out as the best high school team for this season.

This season's co-presenters and sponsors:

Darlington

Freego

Chooks To Go

Cherifer

Petron

Vivo

Hino

Akari

Oishi

Gerry's Grill

Molten

Among the seeded entries are the recently crowned UAAP Juniors champion Ateneo De Manila, NCAA Juniors division titlist La Salle Greenhills, CESAFI King University of Visayas, and MMBL winner Chiang Kai Shek. Earning wild cards berths who all made podium finishes in their respective leagues are the squads from:

• National University
• Mapua
• Sacred Heart
• School-Ateneo De Cebu
• San Beda College
• UST
• Letran
• Adamson

Also taking part in this massive tournament patterned after the NCAA tournament in the US are teams from:

• Cagayan De Oro
• Cavite
• Davao
• Midsayap
• Baguio
• Roxas City
• Calamba
• Bataan
• Bacolod
• Ormoc
• Dumaguete
• Pagadian
• Dagupan
• San Fernando
• Naga
• Lipa City

These provincial squads will be competing with teams from the National Capital Region for Division One and Two trophies.

SM-NBTC League National Finals is happening from March 18 to 23, 2018, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.