NBTC high school cagefest under way

MANILA, Philippines - The Seaoil National Basketball Training Center League National High School Championship unfurls tomorrow with 24 of the country’s top schools battling each other for the crown at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.

National Capital Region’s powerhouse teams Chiang Kai Shek and Hope Christian School face off at 5:30 p.m. in first division Group A match of the annual tournament bankrolled by Seaoil and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to discover talents from the grassroots level.

“Our goal is to really give schools not just from Metro Manila but from all over the country a chance to compete against the best in the best and hopefully discover some untapped talents,” said NBTC chief Eric Altamirano.

Iloilo takes on Bacolod at 1 p.m. while Sacred Heart of Cebu tangles with National U A at 3 p.m. before the league’s opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

Also on tap are second division matches pitting Olongapo against Pampanga at 12 noon and Reedley versus Bukidnon at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, FIBA World Championship-bound national U-17 coach Jamike Jarin will hold a training session for all Seaoil All-Star participants on Friday at 7 p.m., also at the Ynares.

It will be followed by the practice sessions by the two contending teams to be coached by Jeff Napa of NU and JB Sison of San Beda, who steered their respective schools to the UAAP and NCAA championships, respectively.

La Salle-Zobel standout Renzo Subido has been tapped to play in the All-Star in lieu of San Sebastian’s Rhanzelle Yong, who begged off due to illness.

There will be 12 teams per division, grouped into four with the top two squads in each bracket advancing to the quarterfinals.