Former Division 1 champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Pampanga Delta lead the pack of a dozen provincial teams all set to wage war in the 2023 Smart NBTC National Finals from March 15 to 19 at Mall of Asia Arena.

The Magis Eagles hope to claim the crown they last wore in 2015, when they took down then-reigning and defending seven-peat NCAA Jrs. king San Beda High School. Pampanga Delta, meanwhile, brings over the top young talent from a province well-known as a hotbed for basketball prospects.

Rounding out the winners of Local Qualifying Tournaments (LQTs) are Team Tarlac representing Central Luzon, University of Luzon (Baguio), Philippine Christian University Dasmariñas (Cavite), Holy Trinity College General Santos (Kidapawan), Saint Benilde International School Calamba (Laguna), Level Up Max Ballers Davao (Northern Mindanao) Batang Tiaong (Quezon), Don Bosco Dumaguete (Visayas), and Doc Boleros (Caloocan/Quezon City). The victor of the Batangas LQT will be determined in early March.

For the first time, the NBTC's 13th season is no longer confined to school-based squads and now includes club teams such as Pampanga Delta, Team Tarlac, Level Up Max Ballers Davao, Batang Tiaong, and Doc Boleros.

The national championship for high school was most recently won by Nazareth School of National University twice in a row in 2018 and 2019. In the upcoming tournament supported by SM, Coach E Basketball Academy, Molten, and the Swish App, 24 teams will first duke it out in classification contests where the winners will be classified into Division 1, while the losers will be moved to Division 2. Both divisions will then get three-team groups of four which will battle each other in round-robin eliminations.

The top team from each group will advance to the knockout semifinals and then finals, where the Division 1 and Division 2 kings will be crowned. In the culminating day, the championship games will be complemented by the title match of the historic Smart NBTC Girls Have Next powered by Fil-Nation Select and the Under Armour All-Star Game, Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Shootout, and Skills Challenge.

NBTC launches historic HS girls basketball tournament

For the first time ever, girls will get their chance to show what they're made of on the hardcourt in the Smart-NBTC Girls Have Next powered by Fil-Nation Select.

Eight high school teams will battle it out as they get a share of the limelight in the return of the national basketball high school championship after a three-year hiatus.

"Discovering great talents for the better part of the past 13 years, the NBTC is honored to share the spotlight with the ladies this year. We're excited to contribute to the rise of girls' basketball in the country through this grassroots tournament," said Eric Altamirano, NBTC program director.

"I’m excited to be a part of a project that is close to my heart which will give opportunities to showcase young girls' talents. Because of the NBTC and Fil-Nation Select collaboration and support, we are giving a chance to these girls' dreams," said tournament director Mau Belen.

Traditional powerhouse Nazareth School of National University topbills the cast which will play from March 15 to 17 at Pretty HUGE in Taguig, culminating in the championship game on March 19 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Fil-Nation Select, University of Santo Tomas, Miriam College, and La Salle-Antipolo are all ready to give the Lady Bullpups a run for their money, while completing the field are La Filipina Blue Fire, Queen Anne School-Sta. Rosa, and One Ibajay-Aklan.

Teams will first be placed in two groups of four which will play in a round-robin format, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the crossover semifinals to be played on March 17.

The last two teams standing will earn their spot in the championship game to be held in the culminating day of the 2023 Smart NBTC National Finals, when the Under Armour All-Star Game and Division 1 and 2 finals also take place.