Fil-Am hoops team to compete in SM tournament

Eric Altamirano, SM NBTC program director, and staff Michelle Beltran, Anina Orosa, Anton Altamirano at dinner with Canada representative Mike Cruz and USA representative Bong Ulep. CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK CITY — For the first time, a team from the United States, FilAm Sports, will participate in Shoe Mart’s high school tournament in Manila in March next year.

Now in its ninth year, Shoe Mart National Basketball Training Center (SM NBTC) League is the premiere high school basketball program of the Philippines.

Recognized by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and covering 48 cities with over 700 public and private school members, NBTC invites the top high school basketball teams in the Philippines and recently, international teams, to develop coaches and players.

Notable players to come out of NBTC are Art de la Cruz, Terrence Romeo and many more.

Working alongside NBTC Program Director Eric Altamirano, head coach of National University of the Philippines, is NBTC Training Director Alex Compton, head coach of PBA Alaska Aces.

The basketball games are played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and televised on ABS-CBN.

FilAm Sports Coach Simeon “Bong” Ulep said he was looking forward for the team to play in healthy competition.

FilAm Sports is an independent non-profit organization from New Jersey aimed at developing Fil-Am youth basketball players. The team welcomes Fil-Am players regardless of background, location, or affiliation.