Smart, Karis take Nokia NBTC inter-city crowns

Smart, Karis take Nokia NBTC inter-city crowns

Smart-Pampanga and Karis won the Pampanga and Lucena inter-city crowns of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center D-League (NBTC D-League) recently at the University of Assumption gym and the Bethel Gym, respectively.

Hector de los Santos, Dennis Villanueva and Mhekjan Magtoto had 12 points apiece as Smart Pampanga defeated Energen Pampanga for the Pampanga inter-city crown of this tournament backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala.

John Manabat had a game-high 20 points for Energen while Jolo Agustin had 12 and Jerome Quiambao 10 in the tournament also supported by San Miguel Purefoods Company, Smart Communications and Burlington.

Star Hotdogs-Pampanga beat BMEG Integra Pampanga, 82-75, for third place. Jervian Torres led Star Hotdogs with 18 points.

Karis leaned on Philip Co’s 19 points and Charles Duco’s 15 as Karis walloped Smart-QPL to nail the Quezon inter-city title. Smart-QPL drew 13 points each from Errol Magbadlac and Edilberto Almonte.

The QPL team bested Lucena City for third place as Ralph Losloso and Ramon Suarez had 11 points each while Cer Alcala had 10. Darrel Villaruel had 21 points for Lucena City.

The Nokia NBTC D-League is aiming to develop topnotch players who could make it someday to different leagues in the country. These leagues are the UAAP, NCAA, Philippine Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association and the Liga Pilipinas.

Aside from the competition, the players and the coaches receive training about basketball fundamentals and team play from the Nokia NBTC staff headed by Nokia RP U-18 coach Eric Altamirano who acts as director and Alex Compton who is training director.