Blue Dragons face two rivals in NBTC opener

MANILA, Philippines - The 2015 Seaoil-NBTC National High School Championships unwraps today with defending champion Chiang Kai Shek College taking on two rivals in a heavy opening schedule set at three different venues.

The CKSC Blue Dragons debut against University of Cordilleras (Baguio) at 9:45 a.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig before colliding with St. John’s Institute (Bacolod) at 2:15 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Also highlighting the grueling opener is the clash between Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Assumption College (Davao) at 12:30 p.m. after the 11:30 a.m. inaugural ceremony at the YSA.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios will deliver the opening remarks, while Ateneo Blue Eagle star Kiefer Ravena will give the inspirational message.

Following the parade of teams, National Basketball Training Center Mindanao territorial head Arvin Martinez will lead the invocation and the Arellano University Drum and Lyre will play the National Anthem.

Ateneo’s Von Pessumal will lead the oath of sportsmanship and a plaque of appreciation will be given to Tao Corp. president Joel Lopa.

Joining Barrios in the ceremonial toss will be NBTC program director Eric Altamirano and tournament directors Edmundo Badolato and Manny Nitorreda.

Divided into six groups with teams from each pool playing one round robin, the top six of the tournament backed by the MVP Sports Foundation and which serves as the official grassroots development program of the SBP will advance to the next round, with the qualifiers from Groups A, D and E in one pool and those from Groups B, C and F in another for a single round play. The top teams from either pool will then meet in the championship

Bracketed in Group A are San Beda-B, Laguna and Zamboanga; Group B has NU, Tarlac and Iloilo; Group C has San Beda-A, Lucena and Zambales; Group D has Chiang Kai Shek College, Baguio and Bacolod; Group E has Cebu, Davao and Naga; and Group F has Cavite, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.