FBL donates $5000 to Team Canada SMART NBTC

By Dindo Orbeso
Ontario-Canada
March 19, 2017



The Filipino Basketball League headed by FBL Commissioner Wallie Landicho has donated $5000 to help finance the trip of Team Canada Smart NBTC to the Philippines. The team is made up of Filipino Canadian will participate at the SM NBTC National High School Basketball Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on March 13 -16. They will represent Canada and compete in the Division 1.

The money being donated came from the partnership of FBL and local business. PNB Global Remit of Mr. Manolo Arnaldo, WFG’s Agnes Miranda, Rosary Escano and Manny Gutierrez of TFC, Realtor Minitel Dychiao, Scarborough Toyota’s Manny Yanga, Millennium Financials Elsie Altamirano, Professional Career International’s Judith Gonzales, UMAC and Forex Ferdie Baguisa, Action Honda’s Rafael Nebres, MedicStox Bong Tiaga, Ariel Santos of Mortgage Center and Crossover Sports Canada are some of the businesses that partnered with the FBL. This was made possible through the collective efforts from FBL Directors Abe Oligane, Dome Florido, Adrian Vicencio and Leslie Ruiz.

FBL Director of Operations Mike Cruz mentioned that FBL is committed to helping Filipino Canadian players find opportunities by sending delegation to such prestigious tournament like the NBTC.

NBTC stands for National Basketball Training Center and was conceptualized by multititlist mentor Eric Altamirano under the auspices of Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas to help provide opportunities for high school basketball players from the provinces and at the same time identify potential recruits for the Gilas Program. Around 700 teams from across the country have participated in the regional qualifiers with the top 16 teams advancing to the National Championships in Manila. Coach Eric expects a tougher competition in this year’s edition due to the addition of 4 international teams, US, Australia, New Zealand and returning Canada. NCAA Champion Mapua Red Robin, UAAP Champion FEU Baby Tamarraw, MMBL Champion San Beda Red Cubs and Holy Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu completes the Division 1.

Team Canada participated last year and lost a heart breaker to ex National Champion Chang Kai Shek College. NBTC veteran campaigners Matthew Daves, Alvin Florido, Evyn Santiago, Rob Ocampo and Andre Cruz spearhead the campaign with new additional Ben Kwawukumey, Brendon Ocampo, Max Cruz and Nicholas Malabanan completing the team.

The team will also participate at the 18U Boys International Basketball Challenge in Lucban Quezon and will be joined by Canadian Tajuan Smith. They will compete against international teams from Australia, Guam, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia. Smart Sports will be their main sponsor and the team wishes to thank Mr. Epok Quimpo for his support.
Powerade once again will be their official drink for the two tournaments and Kentucky Fried Chicken has provided voucher meals for the team. Special thanks to Crossover Sports Canada which has made this all possible.

Crossover Sports Canada is a player and sporting event management company that help Filipino Canadian players find opportunities in Canada and in the Philippines.