SBP reaching grassroots thru NBTC D-league

Starting Oct. 25, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under the leadership of telecoms mogul Manuel V. Pangilinan, will set in motion a forward-looking grassroots development program through the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League sponsored by Nokia.

The NBTC envisions itself not only as a feeder program for collegiate, amateur and commercial leagues like the UAAP, NCAA, PBL, PBA and the Liga Pilipinas, the last of which is under SBP executive director Noli Eala, but primarily to identify and prepare players for the national youth teams.

“The Youth Basketball Program of Nokia and TAO Corporation is a priority-area of the SBP,” said Eala. “We welcome the NBTC D-League because it is a very important building-block for the foundation of Philippine basketball.”

Aside from Eala, Youth Basketball Commission chair Nic Jorge, who is behind the successful BEST Center that is a pioneering basketball-teaching institution, threw his support behind the notable project for Philippine basketball.

“The BEST Center, along with other important clubs such as the MBBL and schools like UAAP Champion-Ateneo and NCAA Champs-San Beda will set up screening committees that will take note of outstanding youth talents and send these boys along with our recommendation to the NBTC” said Jorge.

The D-League drew 34 teams from different cities and municipalities.

benefactors are Senator Richard Gordon of Olongapo City, Pampanga Mayor Dennis Pineda, and Bataan governor Tet Garcia.

 Vice Gov. Joson of Nueva Ecija, Boy Cruz of Malolos Bulacan, Purefoods and BMEG for Batangas City and Pasig City, Mayor Sonny Belmonte and Coun. Franz Pumaren for Quezon City, Mayor Jenny Barzaga for Dasmarinas Cavite, Health Solutions for Laguna, Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and Freddie Siao of Iligan, Lhuiller, Penshoppe and Daisy Condensada for Cebu, Jonathan Sy, Aldrich Chua, David Villanueva for Bacolod, Kim Santos for Iloilo, Tony Veneracion of General Santos, Montana pawnshop, Kopiko and Megavia for Davao City.