NBTC tweaked up for 14th season

The 14th season of the National Basketball Training Center will see a new look for the organization, as it remains committed towards grassroots development.

Meeting with the media at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, program director Eric Altamirano said that the NBTC will continue to develop skills, build character, and raise leaders, while at the same time continue to march forward into the future wearing a fresh coat of paint.

He explains, "It’s the NBTC’s way of keeping up with the times while also staying true to its core values."

For the 2024 edition of the under-19 championship, the NBTC will have 72 Local City Qualifiers in 96 different cities. All roads would then lead to the four Regional Championships in North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with spots in the SMART-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls on the line.

The finalists of the UAAP and NCAA HS divisions will secure automatic spots, with a couple of yet-to-be-determined wildcards. The last berths are then to be allocated to teams based overseas.

In explaining the adjustments, competition-wise, Altamirano shares, "We want to empower the local players, so that they can see a pathway for them to really earn their place among the best."

Matches at the National Finals this coming March are expected to take place next year at the Mall of Asia Arena, with fans worldwide able to check it out through the SMART LiveStream app and the Facebook pages of the NBTC and SMART Sports. As for the regional championships, the NBTC page on Facebook is expected to show the games, thanks to the support of program partners like Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc, the University of Batangas, and the Cebu Landmasters.

Aside from the games, the NBTC is expected to raise its social media profile, with an upcoming #LakingNBTC campaign set for launch, highlighting on its growing alumni base.

Noted participants in the competition include Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, recent national team call-ups Kevin Alas, Scottie Thompson, and Arvin Tolentino, current B-League standouts Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, as well as Carl Tamayo, and current collegiate standouts JD Cagulangan, CJ Cansino, and Will Gozum.