The country’s premier and official grassroots basketball league, the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), officially opens its local qualifying tournaments simultaneously across south Negros, north Negros, and central Negros at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, at Himamaylan City, the Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center (Kansilayan Gym) in Silay City, and the Bacolod City Arts, Sports, and Cultural Center (BCNHS Gymnasium) within the Bacolod City National High School campus.
The event marks a major milestone on the road to the NBTC Season 16 National Finals.
According to a statement from the organizers, the simultaneous opening underscores NBTC’s commitment to expand grassroots basketball development across Negros Island, providing young athletes with a nationally recognized platform to showcase their talent and pursue higher levels of competition.
CLUSTER HOSTS AND PARTNERS
The south Negros Cluster, hosted by the City of Himamaylan under the leadership of Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr., reaffirms the city’s strong commitment to youth development through sports. The cluster features ten participating teams, with Tongson leading the opening ceremony.
The north Negros Cluster, on the other hand, will take place in the City of Silay, with Mayor Joedith Gallego at the helm as the city once again opens its doors to competitive grassroots basketball. Eight teams are set to compete in this cluster.
Gallego, together with Silay City Executive Assistant for Sports, Marlon Parreño, will lead the opening ceremony of the tournament. The attendance of Carlos Lumanog, Executive Assistant to the Mayor of the Municipality of Calatrava, is also confirmed, adding to the sense of community and support for young athletes.
Meanwhile, the central Negros Cluster is organized by NBTC Negros Island Coordinator Anthony Carlo Agustin, in partnership with Tobys Sports Bacolod, Tobys Sports Dumaguete, and Game BCD, highlighting the growing collaboration between NBTC and the private sector in nurturing young basketball talent. Eight teams are set to participate in this cluster, promising a showcase of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
ROAD TO THE NATIONAL STAGE
Champions from each local qualifying tournament will advance to the NBTC Visayas Regional Championship, scheduled for February 10-14, in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The Negros Island champions will then vie against the top teams from across the Visayas for coveted slots in the NBTC National Finals.
The National Finals, scheduled this March 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, will feature the best teams from all over the Philippines, along with qualified teams from NBTC international chapters, offering young athletes the rare opportunity to compete on a global-caliber stage.
ABOUT NBTC
The National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) is the country’s leading SBP-accredited grassroots basketball league, dedicated to discovering, developing, and elevating young Filipino basketball players. Since its inception, NBTC has become a vital pipeline for elite talent, producing players who have gone on to represent their schools, colleges, professional teams, and the national squad.
NBTC is spearheaded by Coach Frederick “Eric” Altamirano, one of the most respected figures in Philippine basketball. A multi-titled coach and mentor, Coach Eric is known for his championship pedigree, player-first philosophy, and unwavering commitment to grassroots development. Under his leadership, NBTC has grown into a nationwide and international program that not only sharpens athletic excellence but also instills discipline, character, and leadership among young athletes.
BUILDING THE FUTURE
With the simultaneous opening of the NBTC Local Qualifying Tournaments across Negros Island, the league once again affirms its mission: to bring basketball opportunities closer to communities and to give young players a clear pathway from the grassroots to the national and international spotlight.
As the games tip off today, Negros Island takes center stage in shaping the future of Philippine basketball – one possession, one team, and one dream at a time.*
