MANILA, Philippines -- The Olongapo Volunteers and Daisy Condensada-Sacred Heart of Jesus Jesuits led the qualifiers into the regional finals of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League recently at separate venues.
The Volunteers of Sen. Richard Gordon bested Tarlac, 67-57, in the tournament supported by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Manny V. Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.
Nokia supports the grassroots program as part of its main thrust of love for country and youth development. The scheme is seen to be a feeder program to higher leagues like the Liga Pilipinas, PBA, PBL, UAAP and NCAA aside from being a source of players for future national teams.
Lomell Loyola, who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Carmelo Berrera had 14 points each. Gian Lumagui led Tarlac with 12 as his team joined Olongapo in the Luzon regionals set March 19-22 also at the SBMA gym.
Nueva Ecija routed Sugod Bulacan, 97-70, for third place.
In Cebu, Daisy Condensada-Sacred Heart School-Jesuits made it a clean sweep after beating BMEG Expert-University of San Carlos , 57-55, in the finals last Sunday at the City Sports Club.
Daisy Condensada and BMEG Expert both made it to the regional finals as these two teams await the qualifiers from Iloilo and Bacolod.