.png) |
| c/o NBTC |
NAGA is stepping up to the plate as the hosts for the 2027 NBTC South Luzon Regional Championship, with the hopes of revitalizing grassroots basketball in the Bicol Region.
“I think it's about time we have this program for the Bicol Region,” said NBTC program director Eric Altamirano during the launch on Friday at Buffalo's Wings N Things MAAX. “I’m delighted to have this leadership for Region 5. Launching a program is completely different from sustaining it and the challenge is not just how we start but how we continue and sustain it."
Longtime commissioner Allan Augusto is leading the Bicol Basketball Training Center as its area head and will be supported by program partners Pablo Roel and Tyrone Paul Weber.
“Masakit kasi sa part naming mga sports league sa Region 5 na pagdating sa South Luzon [Regional Championship], hindi na tayo manalo. Paano tayo makakarating ng National Finals at ano ba yung lunas sa problema? Nakita natin na kailangan magkaroon sa sustainability ng program," said Augusto.
Working with them are local commissioners Roland Jarque for Albay, John Salvador and Al Francis Requinta of Camarines Sur, Fidel Vegim of Catanduanes, Agustin Polo of Sorsogon, and Hurley Cleofe of Masbate, as well as consultant Bob De Vera, media partner Joe Osabal, technical head Johannes Guerrero, assistant technical head Nobert Hayag, and technical consultant Emman Faraon as consultants.
Naga College Foundation was the last Bicolano team to reach the National Finals back in 2024, with the Tigers proudly representing Albay.
Bicol Basketball Training Center is also hopeful to produce the next Justin Arana, a native of Daet, Camarines Norte, as the group laid out a year-long plan to keep the basketball community in the region vibrant in the leadup to the 17th season of the Philippine national 19-under championship next year.
