MANILA, Philippines - Former San Sebastian star and now Purefoods Hotshot Ian Sangalang and UAAP heartthrobs Keifer Ravena of Ateneo and Jeron Teng of La Salle honor their roots with their presence as they grace the opening of the 2015 Seaoil-National Basketball Training Center National High School Championships at the Ynares Sports Arena on Friday.
Other players gracing the rites are Baser Amer of San Beda, Arnold Van Opstal (De La Salle), Scottie Thompson (Perpetual Help Dalta System), Art dela Cruz (San Beda). Roldan Sara (San Beda), Troy Rosario (National University), Von Pessumal (Ateneo), Mike Tolomia (Far Eastern), and Glenn Khobuntin (National U), Gelo Alolino (National U).
Also invited to the inaugurals of the tournament backed by the MVP Sports Foundation and which serves as the official grassroots development program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are Talk n Text’s Kevin Alas (Letran), Globalport’s Terrence Romeo (Far Eastern) and Rain or Shine’s Jeric Teng (UST).
To be honored are the pioneering efforts of businessman-sportsman Joel Lopa, president of Tao Corp. and Nokia Philippines, in bankrolling the NBTC program and sponsoring the U16 and U18 National youth teams in 2007-09, and the achievement of Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa.
“It always feels great to be reunited with young, outstanding players who first showcased their skills and talent in our backyard before moving on to bigger things,” said NBTC program founder Eric Altamirano.
“What they accomplished here will serve as inspiration for this generation of high school stars and the next as they thread the path blazed by their predecessors,” he added.
The top 18 high school teams nationwide, four of them from the National Capital Region, emerged after months of grueling competition and will now converge for the national finals set March 6-8 in three different venues – the Meralco gym, Ynares Sports Arena 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 Dalta 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.