2 foreign schools to join NBTC cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time since the inception of the National Basketball Training Center eight years ago, two foreign schools have been added to the list of secondary schools that will compete in Division 1 this March at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

According to NBTC director Eric Altamirano, Trail International School, based in Thailand, and a high school squad from Canada have been invited to join the ten local schools that will contend for the championship.

Additionally, SM Sports Development head CJ Suarez mentioned that “SM will also be providing support via marketing and allowing the players the usage of the SM Mall of Asia Arena.”

Terms regarding the amount and duration of the partnership were not disclosed.

This event also gives an opportunity for college coaches and scouts to discover players for their varsity squads. It has also been very useful for developing skills and building characters

Coach Ado Badolato, amongst the most successful coaches in high school basketball in the Philippines, added that this program “also helps out with the formation of the Philippine Juniors National Team as it has been recognized by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas”.

Some of the products of the National Basketball Training Camp include Mike Tolomia, who recently won Finals MVP with the UAAP Champions Far Eastern University Tamaraws; Scottie Thompson and Baser Amer, who are now showing their wares at Barangay Ginebra and Meralco in the PBA, respectively.