12 teams to join NBC 2006 season

At least 12 teams with seven from the South and five from the North confirmed participation in the 2006 NBC season which starts March 10 next year.

Those who confirmed participation are defending champion Ozamiz Cotta, Tribu Sugbu, Hapee-Dewfoam, Iligan, Pagadian, Iloilo and Valencia-Bukidno from the south while the five teams from the North are Taguig, Parañaque, Baguio, Bacchus Energy Drink and Tagaytay Hilanders, who bought the Cavite franchise.

Team owners and their representative were present during the contract signing last December 17 at the City Sports Club attended by NBC secretary-general Tito Palma.

So far, at least seven more teams are eyeing for the last four slots because Palma said the NBC is targetting 16 teams for the next season.

The teams eyeing to join are Laguna-Spring Cooking Oil, Batangas, Antipolo, Ilocos Sur, Lucena, Quezon City, Digos and Pacman-Gensan.

Palma said they are holding two conferences and they have to undergo two playoff rounds before they will qualify to the finals.

The first conferences will start March 10 to June 25 and the second conference folows on August 12 to November 29.

The NBC will hold pre-season games starting January 7 in Valencia.

The Cebu leg will be held at the Don Celestino Martinez Memorial gym in Bogo from January 26-29.