GIRLS get the chance to showcase their skills for the first time in the Smart-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Girls Have Next powered by Fil-Nation Select.
Eight high school teams will battle it out in event considered as the national high school basketball championship after that was shuttered for three years by Covid-19.
“Discovering great talents for the better part of the past 13 years, the NBTC is honored to share the spotlight with the ladies this year,” NBTC program director Eric Altamirano said. “We’re excited to contribute to the rise of girls’ basketball in the country through this grassroots tournament.”
“I’m excited to be a part of a project that is close to my heart which will give opportunities to showcase young girls’ talents,” tournament director Mau Belen said. “Because of the NBTC and Fil-Nation Select collaboration and support, we are giving a chance to these girls’ dreams.”
Traditional powerhouse Nazareth School of National University heads the cast which will play from March 15 to 17 at Pretty HUGE in Taguig City. The championship game will be on March 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Also competing are Fil-Nation Select, University of Santo Tomas, Miriam College, La Salle-Antipolo, La Filipina Blue Fire, Queen Anne School-Sta. Rosa and One Ibajay-Aklan.
The teams will divided into groups of four which will play a round-robin format with the top two teams in each group advancing to the crossover semifinals on March 17.
The last two teams standing advance to the championship game during the culmination of the Smart NBTC National Finals with the Under Armour All-Star Game and Division 1 and 2 finals also taking place.