Nokia D-League opens tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region (NCR)-Luzon leg ushers in the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League tomorrow at the Jacinto Tiu Gym of the Xavier Sports Center in San Juan City.

NBTC D-League program director Eric Altamirano said two national championships at stake will make the tournament even more competitive as the league field has grown to 108 teams from a humble start of only 29 clubs backed by commercial and local government units.

“This is our way of properly recognizing the talents of NCR and the provincial teams,” said Altamirano on the league backed by Nokia Pilipinas and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas head by telecoms mogul Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.

The NCR/Luzon leg for the Nokia NBTC D-League will open by 9 a.m. with the first two of the 12-game bill pitting SMAHC Naga vs ABC Ideas Naga and La Union HS vs Team 2.

The opening ceremony is at 11:30 a.m. with special guests Nokia Philippines marketing head Sandeep Khanna, TAO Corporation president Jun Sy and Eala in attendance.

Backing the tournament are brands belonging to San Miguel Pure Foods Company (SMPFC) and telecoms giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) unit Smart Communications and Burlington.