After three years, the National Basketball Training Center returns with 24 schools competing for supremacy from 15 to 19 March at the Mall of Asia Arena.

NBTC founder Eric Altamirano said they buckled down to work as soon as the government eased the Covid restrictions by setting up qualifiers to make up the list of the best high school teams in the country.

The last time the NBTC was held was in 2019 with Nazareth School of National University ruling Division 1 and Augustine Institute of Pampanga conquering Division 2.

"The NBTC was really for the youth. In the middle of last year, we learned from DepEd (Department of Education) that sports in high school can continue so when we heard that, we readily started our local tournaments last year and we had to go straight to the National Finals," Altamirano said during a press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena last Thursday.

"We're very happy with the teams that participated this year although it was on short notice. We're thankful to the sponsors for making this happen."

Two schools from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and two schools from the National Collegiate Athletic Association will banner the 24-squad competition.

Also participating are Level Up Team Abro from Davao, University of Dagupan from Pangasinan, Homegrown Crusaders from Australia, Philippine Christian University Cavite, Dubai Patriots, Saint Benilde International School Calamba in Laguna, Batangas, Team Tarlac, Team United USA, Winnipeg Canada, Rome Elite Italy, Royal Star Trading-Don Bosco from Dumaguete, Holy Trinity Gen San, Pinoy Mavs NZ from New Zealand, Doc Boleros Defenders from Camanava, University of Luzon Dagupan, Batang Tiaong from Quezon Province and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo Cebu Landmaster.