Extensive talent identification camps were conducted by the organizers to help participating teams determine the players who will join their rosters in the ongoing Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League.
Nokia NBTC D-League director Eric Altamirano and training director Alex Compton said they were impressed by the player turnout that the 18-and-under league, under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala, had to increase its roster to 108 teams this year.
“Basketball talents abound the country and these players are usually diamonds-in-the rough who need training and a competitive environment to improve on their skills. That’s why we increased the number of teams this year,”said Altamirano and Compton on the league primarily backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation with San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Smart Communications and Burlington as major sponsors.
Altamirano said the league is blessed to have so many players willing to try out for spots, that the competition becomes very intense.”The good thing about these talent identification camps is that these give an objective view on what players the teams need and which ones would fit the program for the long term.”
Talent identification camps or TICs were already held in La Union, Cavite (Dasmarinas, General Trias and Bacoor), Laguna (Calamba), Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Leyte (Ormoc and Tacloban), Davao, Cebu, General Santos, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bohol, Zamboanga, Dumaguete and Butuan.
Altamirano said they expect the total participants in these TICs in 32 areas to reach 5,760. He said that 180 players from each area broken down into those born in 1992 (60), 1993 (60) and 1994 (60) have joined these TICs.
“Although we increased the number of teams, we might not have enough slots for everybody in the Nokia D-League, said Altamirano.”But this is always in keeping up with our aim to be the feeder program for higher leagues in the future.”
Altamirano is referring to leagues like the NCAA, UAAP, Philippine Basketball League (PBL), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Liga Pilipinas and future national teams.
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