NBTC set for online broadcast

The 2023 SMART-NBTC National Finals is set to take place on March 15-19, with the Mall of Asia hosting most of the matches involving the 24 participating teams.

It is making a return after a pandemic-imposed hiatus the last three years, with the game's stars of tomorrow getting their turn in the limelight.

NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano shares, "It has always been our mission to put the spotlight on the grassroots level of Philippine basketball and after 13 years, that remains the same. We firmly believe that investing in the future now can only set us up for a brighter tomorrow."

The 24 teams are broken down into four teams from the UAAP and NCAA, eight teams from the NBTC Global Games, and the twelve Local Qualifying Tournament champions.

March 15 will feature the Super 24 round, with the winners ticketed to Division 1 and the losers to Division 2. A draw will then determine the composition of the four groups of three that comprise the round robin in the subsequent days. The top teams of each group will advance to the semifinals of each division, with the winners facing off in the culminating day on March 19.

The final day will also feature the inaugural final of the Girls Have Next, as well as the Under Armour-NBTC All-Star Game and its side events. The eight-team tournament for the girls that is powered by Fil-Nation Select will take place at Pretty Huge in Taguig from March 15-17, with the field split into two groups in a round robin.

Fans will be able to watch the action through three Facebook pages: the NBTC's, SMART Sports, and Puso Pilipinas.

Representing SMART, PLDT First Vice President and Head of Sports Jude Turcuato shares, "Our chairman MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and our president Al Panlilio are very committed and dedicated to nation-building and that’s really why we like supporting sports because it keeps everyone united."

As a long time partner of the NBTC, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas continues to recognize the role the program has with the NSA's vision and goals. Deputy Executive Director Butch Antonio says, "The NBTC has been a source of talent before and it will continue to do so."

This iteration of the SMART-NBTC National Finals is presented by SM, Strong Realty and Development Corp., Under Armour, and Molten. Serving as sponsors are 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.