The National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals are in full swing at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with 32 top high school basketball teams battling it out in one of the most anticipated grassroots sports events in the country.

Now on its final stretch, the weeklong tournament began on 31 March and continues through the weekend, culminating on Sunday, 6 April, with the crowning of the Division 1 and Division 2 champions. The tournament weekend also features the Manila Live Girls and Boys Tournaments, and the much-awaited All-Star games scheduled for Saturday, 5 April.

Founded in 2007 by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the NBTC began as a training platform for homegrown talent aiming for the Youth Olympics. Over the years, it has evolved into the country’s premier grassroots basketball program, expanding its reach to include Filipino teams from overseas and providing a pathway to both collegiate and professional basketball.

Among the standout alumni are Arvin Tolentino, Troy Rosario, Jeron Teng, and Kai Sotto, as well as rising UAAP stars JD Cagulangan, Gerry Abadiano, and Jared Bahay.

Since 2016, the NBTC has found a steadfast partner in SM Supermalls through its Sports Development Program, which has elevated the league’s visibility and provided the SM MOA Arena as a world-class venue. The venue has hosted the NBTC National Finals for nearly a decade, helping position the league as a top platform for aspiring athletes.

A key feature of the program is the Coaches’ Convention, which gathers renowned mentors to train fellow coaches across the provinces, further strengthening grassroots development in basketball.

With the preliminary games wrapping up today, excitement is building for the final two days of the event. The Fearless 4 will be revealed on Saturday, setting the stage for the championship matches and All-Star games.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets or at the venue for P20.

NBTC’s continued rise reflects the growing commitment to developing local sports at the grassroots level, with support from the private sector and venues like SM Supermalls helping shape the future of Philippine basketball.