ILOILO City – As the Iloilo qualifying leg of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) kicks off today, Santa Clarita International School Primes will try to defend its crown at Western Institute of Technology – RTS Campus Gym.
Although determined to let the trophy stay, head coach Rodel Camacho admitted to Panay News that this edition will be tougher, as other schools have improved their rosters.
“Determined kami na makeep ‘yung title kasi gusto namin muli na makalaro sa National Finals, but we know it is not easy. We will just give our best kasi lumakas din ‘yung ibang team,” Camacho said.
As the last year’s Iloilo leg champions, they went as far as the round-of-16 in the NBTC National Finals, and also as runners up in the National 3×3 Basketball Finals.
NBTC-Iloilo leg Commissioner Joe- an Tenorio said that the group matches are scheduled on Jan.11, 12 and 13, while the quarterfinals are on Jan. 14 and 15. The finals of the annual cage wars will be on Jan. 16.
The Primes are bracketed in Group A along with Central Philippine University Golden Lions, PAREF Westbridge School of Iloilo Inc., and Sun Yat Sen High School.
Teams in Group B are CenterPhil Montessori Silver Knights, Filipino American School Town, San Antonio National High School in Barotac Viejo, and St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets.
Teams in Group C are Assumption School Passi City, Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix, and Mandurriao National High School. Group D is composed of Ateneo de Iloilo, Barotac Viejo National High School, Iloilo National High School, and University of San Agustin.
The champion of the Iloilo leg will advance to the NBTC Regionals along with teams qualified from Capiz and Guimaras, where a slot into the NBTC National Finals in Manila awaits./PN
