National Basketball Training Center regional finals kick off

MANILA, Philippines - Four teams each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao fight for the right to represent their respective regions in the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League national championship in matches slated at Olongapo, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro later this month.

NBTC D-League director Eric Altamirano said the teams had displayed improved skills and maturity in the 16-and-under program in terms of individual and team skills.

 “That is why it will be very interesting to watch these teams battle for the regional championships,” said Altamirano.

The Luzon regionals break the ice March 20-22 in Olongapo, where the host team of Senator Richard Gordon along with fellow North Luzon qualifier Tarlac go up against South Luzon champion Health Solutions Laguna and Quezon Power-Lucena at the SBMA gym.

In the Mindanao regionals, Davao champion Megavia and runner-up Energen challenge CDO-Iligan representatives Misamis Oriental Baby Meteors and Oro Grande of Cagayan de Oro.

The finals are set March 27-29 at the Xavier U gym in Cagayan de Oro.

From March 30 to April 1, Cebu champion Daisy Condensada and B-MEG Experts Cebu mix it up with Santos Petroleum of Iloilo and Dumaguete Suy of Bacolod City at the USC North gym in Cebu City.

 “Beyond the wins and the losses, we at the Nokia NBTC D-League have stayed true to the aim of producing fundamentally sound players through a singular training program that benefit coaches as well,” Altamirano said.