This year’s contenders are defending champion Ozamiz Cotta, Iligan Crusaders, North Cotabato Braves, Pagadian Explorers, Tribu Sugbu and Valencia Golden Harvest, all from the south; and Spring Parañaque, Forward Taguig, Batang Tagaytay, Bacchus/Harbour Centre-Manila, Laguna/Sta. Rosa City and Pangasinan Hundred Islands in the north division.
The opening games on March 10 pit Spring Parañaque against Bacchus/Harbour Centre and Batang Tagaytay against Pangasinan Hundred Islands.
The Explorers of Mayor Sammy Co will host the Golden Harvest in the south division opening on March 17.
The tourney will be aired on Prime Channel, the official cable carrier and one of the sponsors. The other supporters are Panasonic, Sulpicio Lines, Nature’s Spring, Firefly Electric, Spring Cooking Oil and Molten.
"Going into our third year, I’m happy to note that NBC has achieved its goal of promoting basketball in the grassroots," said NBC president and national shooting champion Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla yesterday at the PSA Forum, where he guested together with Tagaytay Mayor and NBC executive vice president Bambol Tolentino, Mayor Efren Piñol of North Cotabato and secretary- general Tito Palma.
"In fact, we expect a better season this year considering that we have attracted new teams," Padilla added.
Mayor Tolentino said his city’s involvement in NBC is meant to boost tourism. "Tagaytay is a tourist spot and, at the same time, a good venue to promote sports like basketball, chess, boxing and cycling.
For his part, Mayor Piñol, who represented his brother, Gov. Manny Piñol, explained that "the province’s participation (in the NBC) is going to prove that, contrary to reports, North Cotabato is a peaceful and ideal place for sports and other activities."
"In fact, we have a good boxing program, handled no less by a Cuban coach," Mayor Piñol said.
Palma sees a close fight both in the north and south division. "The teams are well-balanced," he said.
The coming tourney is actually the first of two conferences. The first conference will end in June, while the second conference will start in August.