MANILA, Philippines — Pansamantalang inilipat sa Abril ang pagsasagawa ng Chooks-to-Go-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals bunsod pa rin ng coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Ayon sa pahayag ng pinakamalaking torneo sa pagitan ng pinakamagagaling na mga high basketball teams sa bansa, inilipat muna ito mula sa orihinal na petsang Marso 21-27 sa Abril 20-26.
Ang Mall of Asia Arena pa rin sa Pasay City ang magsisilbing venue ng naturang kompetisyon.
“We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our attendees as it is our utmost priority. Hence, we have taken the difficult decision of postponing this year’s event to a later date,” wika ni NBTC Founder Eric Altamirano.
“In these times, we must make our personal safety as our priority. Keep indoors if possible and pray for the safety of our countrymen,” dagdag naman ni Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas katuwang ang Smart, Vivo, Darlington, Phoenix Fuels, Epson, Gatorade, Go for Gold at Molten.
Kabuuang 32 koponan mula sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa ang nakatakdang sumali sa inaabangang 2020 NBTC National Finals.
Ang NSNU Bulldogs, kagagaling lamang sa back-to-back championships sa UAAP juniors basketball tournament, ang reigning champion ng NBTC.
Kabilang din sa tentative rescheduling ng NBTC ang Coaches’ Convention gayundin ang NBTC All-Star Game.
Ang NBTC National Finals ang pinakabagong liga na naapektuhan ng lumalalang COVID-19 outbreak sa bansa matapos ang PBA, NCAA, UAAP, MPBL at gayundin ang Asean Basketball League.