D-League gets huge response

MANILA, Philippines - Extensive talent identification camps were conducted by the organizers of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League to help participating teams determine the players who will join their rosters in the ongoing tournament.

Nokia NBTC D-League director Eric Altamirano and training director Alex Compton said they were impressed by the player turnout that the 18-and-under league, under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala, had to increase its roster to 108 teams this year.

“Basketball talents abound and these players need training and a competitive environment to improve on their skills. That’s why we increased the number of teams this year,” said Altamirano and Compton on the league backed by Nokia Phils. and TAO Corp. with San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Smart Communications and Burlington as major sponsors.

Altamirano said the league is blessed to have so many players willing to try out for spots, that the competition becomes very intense.

Talent identification camps or TICs were already held in La Union, Cavite (Dasmariñas, General Trias and Bacoor), Laguna (Calamba), Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Leyte (Ormoc and Tacloban), Davao, Cebu, General Santos, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bohol, Zamboanga, Dumaguete and Butuan.

Altamirano said they expect participants in these TICs in 32 areas to reach 5,760.