NBTC-“First Ever In Philippine Basketball” Launched

The basketball aficionado that I am brought me to a get-together of a “power packed” basketball social event…the launching of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) of the Basketball Association of the Philippines – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) held last January 22 at the City Sports Club.  The NBTC will serve as a training ground to prepare the selected players aged 14 to 17 years old for the National Youth Teams which I learned will already compete in the 2010 Junior Olympics.  I was so awed to see 14 and 15 year olds with towering heights of over 6 feet!  More so, I realized how noble this program is as how a good friend and now BAP-SBP Executive Director, Patrick “Pato” Gregorio explained that this is the first time our country ever came up with a training pool program that is more accessible to young potential players from the various regions.  I used to think that national trainings only happen in Manila!  Noble as it is, I must make special mention to Tao Corporation of Julio “Jun” Sy Jr. represented in the event by showbiz/media personality-turned-marketing honcho, Val Victa and telecom giant Nokia for supporting the program immensely not even as an advertising venue but as a sincere form of support for an admirable program.

Very prominent in the launch were CESAFI Commissioner Boy Tiukinhoy, UC Dean of Law and a friend of basketball Atty. Merong Estenzo, Small Basketeers’ prime mover Perry Lim, BAP-SBP trustees Councilor Yayoy Alcoseba and University of the Visayas coach Boy Cabahug who gave their full collaboration with the NBTC. 

To the whole NBTC team: the amiable Program Director Eric “Coach E” Altamirano, Territory Head and certainly NBTC’s asset Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez and his dynamic Associate Coaches : Roel Gomez, Calib Gawangon, Sesum Asignar,  Roland Remedio, Rommel Rasmo and Bon Rosito…I salute you for a good start!  All the best!