The National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League is back at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena for its weeklong 2025 National Finals, happening from March 31 to April 6. With the preliminary phases set to begin in April, the tournament will conclude with the All-Star games and Finals, where new Division 1 and Division 2 Champions will be crowned.
Grassroots basketball program for young talents
Founded in 2007, the NBTC program was initially formulated by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Inc. (SBP) as a training program for homegrown talents preparing for the 2010 Youth Olympics. Over time, the league evolved to support and develop young players from rural areas, scouting talent from the best high school teams nationwide. To further amplify its mission, the program has expanded to include international teams composed of Filipino and foreign players.
A key component of the program is the Coaches’ Convention, conducted in various provinces, where renowned coaches serve as speakers to share their expertise and mentor fellow trainers.
Long-running SM-NBTC partnership
Since 2016, SM Sports Development has been the principal sponsor of NBTC, significantly boosting the league’s media exposure. Since then, the world-class SM MOA Arena has hosted the National Finals, increasing its recognition among basketball enthusiasts. SM’s financial support has ensured the league’s sustainability, alongside its enhanced visibility. This strengthened partnership has helped establish NBTC as the leading grassroots basketball program in the Philippines.
The next generation of basketball stars
As the nation’s top grassroots basketball program, the NBTC continues to produce exceptional players admired and celebrated by the Filipino basketball community.
Among the top homegrown NBTC talents who have made it to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are Arvin Tolentino, Jeron Teng, and Troy Rosario, along with Gilas Pilipinas standouts Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo. Meanwhile, Evan Nelle, Jared Bahay, JD Cagulangan, and Gerry Abadiano are among the recent University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standouts who emerged from the NBTC program.
NBTC National Finals return to SM MOA Arena
To kick off April, SM MOA Arena welcomes 32 aspiring teams for the NBTC National Finals. The teams will compete in the preliminary phases from March 31 to April 4, leading up to the recognition of the Fearless 4 teams on April 5.
Saturday’s matches will feature the first set of Manila Live Girls and Boys tournaments, as well as the highly anticipated All-Star games. The weeklong event concludes on April 6 with the crowning of this year’s Division 1 and Division 2 champions.
Tickets for the NBTC National Finals are available at the venue or online at smtickets.com for P20.
SM Supermalls, dedicated to developing young Filipino basketball talent for national and international competitions, proudly presents the NBTC National Finals.