Lead-up to 2023 SM NBTC National Championship kicks off

12 spots for provincial squads and four more berths for international teams are up for grabs as the National Basketball Training Center prepares for the 2023 SM NBTC National Championship set tentatively for April next year.

According to the league, NBTC's 13th season officially kicked off last July with two teams from Canada and United Stated already booking their spots through the Global Games where Winnipeg and Team United sealed their slots.

Italy's Global Games will unfurl in September which will then be followed by Australia, New Zealand, and UAE in October.

Come November, provincial teams can get their chance with Local Qualifying Tournaments (LQT) set to take place until January 2023. Albay, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu, La Union, Kidapawan, Northern Mindanao, Quezon, Rizal, and the Central Luzon cluster of Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo, Pampanga, and Tarlac have committed to organizing qualifiers, where a total of 144 teams are expected to see action.

“We’re so happy and so excited that, finally, we’re here again and we’re back to set up a stage for young Filipinos to shine,” said NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano in a statement.

“We believe it’s best to go with the times. Yung international teams naman natin, they’re not school-based, so why not give everybody that choice as well."

Rounding out the 24 slots in the nationwide tournament for young Filipino talent to be played at SM Mall of Asia Arena will be the NCAA and UAAP Juniors champions as well as four more squads from NCR.

—JMB, GMA News