SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), through the SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI), continues on its partnership with International Basketball Academy of the Philippines (IBAP) as the principal sponsor for the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League.


"SM has been proudly supporting NBTC since 2015, as we believe in what they stand for : to champion the skills of the Filipino youth through sports development by applying the values of leadership, teamwork, excellence, and discipline," says SMPHI Chairman to the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy. "This is why we extended our support to NBTC, so that we can help more Filipino youth reach their true potential.

NBTC that is already on it 11th season is a year-round grassroots program that aims to identify, prepare, and develop outstanding players in public and private high schools around the country by being part of a national youth basketball league. 

"Every year that we have been organizing the tournament, we have redined it to what it is now - a premier showcase for high school basketball," said SM-NBTC Founder Eric Altamirano. "We have sen it grow from an initial few cities to over 70 cities all over the country."

Kiefer Ravena, Terrence Romeo, Jeron Teng, and Troy Rosario are some of the basketball players who started with NBTC and now moved successfully to collegiate and professional leagues.

"As part of the SM group, Mall of Asia Arena is also in proud support of SM-NBTC League by providing a venue with world-class facilities," says SMLEI Chief Operating Officer Herman Medina-Cue. "Mall of Asia Arena is truly the home of the most popular sport in the Philippines - basketball - as the major leagues that players aim for are all under one eye-conic roof."
SM-NBTC League National Finals is happening from March 18 to 23, 2018 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.


The weeklong national finals and the annual high school all-star game gears up with 32 high school basketball teams, including champion teams from various leagues all the Philippines, as well as from Filipino communities based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America, all competing to stand out as the best high school team for this season.

Presented by Exped Charcoal Socks, with Darlington, Freego, and Chooks to Go are this season's co-presenters, together with Cherifer, Petron, and Vivo as the major sponsor. Also in support are Hino, Akari, Oishi, Gerry's Grill, and Molten (the official ball of SM-NBTC League).