Final 18 teams in Seaoil-NBTC national championships bared

MANILA, Philippines - The National Basketball Training Center has released the names of the 18 schools which qualified to the 2015 Seaoil-NBTC National High School Championships set March 6-8 simultaneously at the Ynares Sports Arena, Meralco gym and the Philsports Arena.

Joining seeded teams Assumption College from Davao, Southern City College from Zamboanga, St. John’s Institute from Bacolod, St. Roberts International School from Iloilo, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori from Cagayan de Oro are Maryhill College from Lucena, University of Perpetual Help System from Biñan, Naga City Montessori, Lyceum from South Cavite, University of Cordilleras from Baguio, Castillejos National High School from Zambales, Infant Jesus Learning Center for Academic Studies from San Fernando, Gerona Institute from Tarlac, and National Capital Region qualifiers Chiang Kai Shek College, National University, San Beda Red Cubs and San Beda-B.

The 18 national finalists in the tournament backed by the MVP Sports Foundation Inc. and which serves as the official grassroots development program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will be divided into six groups with teams from each pool playing one round.

The top six teams advance to the next round, with the qualifiers from Groups A, B and C in one pool and those from Groups D, E and F in another for a single round play. The top teams from either pool then meet in the championship.

“The hour of reckoning has arrived,” said NBTC program founder Eric Altamirano. “This is what we’ve been waiting for. After all those months of grueling competition all over the country, the cream of the crop in Philippine high school basketball has been assembled to battle for the right to be called No. 1 nationwide. I can’t be more thrilled at the prospect of watching all these young talent showcase what they’ve got.”

The National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) aims to identify, prepare and develop young male student-athletes.

Its objectives include creating learning environment opportunities for players to demonstrate and enhance both their individual and team skills; serving as a pathway for the players and coaches to move to a higher level competition; developing skills, building character and raising leaders; and promoting the values of leadership, commitment to excellence, right attitude and discipline among students through the sports.