Hoops stars look to Seaoil NBTC High School All-Star Game as an opportunity

“This is a big opportunity,” beamed FEU Baby Tamaraw point guard Jerie Pingoy. “Last year, natalo kami sa finals ng UAAP (juniors basketball tournament). Nakabawi kami this year – nag-champion – tapos makakasama pa sa Seaoil NBTC High School All-Star Game. Malaking karangalan ‘to.”

The Seaoil NBTC High School All-Star Game on March 3rd at the Ynares Center in Pasig City will be the crowning event for many a high school senior who are graduating to the college ranks. The game will precede the finals of the NBTC that features the last two teams standing in a field of over 200 schools battling for the title of the best high school team in the country.

Aside from Pingoy, looking to make an impact in the annual showcase for secondary school hoops stars are NU’s Ralph Atangan, UST’s Nicko Bahia, San Beda’s Ranbill Tongco, UST’s Nicko Bahia, Andre Paras of La Salle Greenhills, Cagayan De Oro National High School’s John Luna, the University of Visayas’ Paul Desiderio, and St. John’s Institute’s heralded Kib Montalbo to name a few.

Andre Paras, the son of former basketball star Benjie Paras, is also looking forward to the event. “It’s a little difficult trying to follow in my father’s footsteps but he is very supportive of us. To be included in this event is already an honor when there are thousands and thousands of players to choose from. I’m excited.”

Added Eric Altamirano, Program Director of the NBTC: “We are excited to hold the second staging of the High School All-Star Game this year. And we expect to see more blue chip players than last year. This is a good opportunity for the players to be seen by coaches from the top collegiate leagues.”

Nicko Bahia, from the UST Tiger Cubs, likes the opportunity to showcase one’s wares in front of all the coaches from the Metro Manila schools. “Opportunity para sa lahat ito. Meron pressure syempre kasi best of the best ‘to pero laban lang. Last yea nga, si Basas umangat over sila Teng at Alejandro.”

In the first ever Seaoil NBTC High School All-Star Game held last year. Britt Reroma of NCAA Juniors champions San Beda and Jeff Napa  of then-titlists National University coached two squads of 15 players each. Reroma’s white team bested Napa’s blue team, 87-81 behind Mapua Red Robin Ace Basas who stole the show from the much ballyhooed Jeron Teng and high school teammate JJ Alejandro for a game high 24 points. Basas played only in the second and fourth quarters but he stood out with his offensive rebounds, putbacks, and array of medium range shots. He outscored Teng 8-5 in the final quarter to lead the white team to the first ever win in a tournament patterned after the McDonald’s All-American Game held in the United States every year.