THE SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas will be staging the National Under-16 Championship for Men and Women later this month as part of their efforts to promote and develop the sport at the grassroots level.
The event will be held on Jan. 22 to 28 in Baguio City with 10 teams seeing action in the men’s division while five will take the floor in the women’s side, according to SBP executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios.
“This is part of SBP’s grassroots development program, especially since ang mga stars natin usually galing sa mga kabataan,” said Barrios.
Formerly known as the National Juniors Championship, SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza said that they have changed the format of the tournament based on the age bracket.
Among the teams participating in the men’s division are University of Santo Tomas and St. Claire College in the National Capital Region, University of Baguio, La Union College of Nursing, Arts and Sciences, St. Bridget School of Batangas, St. Louis School of Sorsogon, St. John Institute of Bacolod, Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School, Holy Child of Davao and Claret School of Zamboanga.
The women’s tournament will be composed of St. Claire, St. Louis-Baguio, Sta. Isabel Naga City, Assumption Davao, and a team in Dagupan City.
The games will be held in University of Baguio, Cordillera Career Development College and Eastern College Gym. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio