Happy Fishermen Clinched Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League

Four (4) teams from General Santos City slugged it out in the recently organized Nokia Smart National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League. The event was held at the Oval Area Covered Court, General Santos City last February and culminated this week.

Teams from St. Elizabeth Hospital, Vercide Engineering, Red Rockets and Happy Fishermen (Marchael Sea Ventures) fought in the 18-and-under tournament backed by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala. Eric Altamirano's Coach-E company coordinated this national program in partnership with Alex Compton who conducted a basketball try-out.





In the end, the Happy Fishermen clinched the title (2-1 record over St. Elizabeth Hospital) and the right to represent SOCCSKSARGEN in the Mindanao Area Tournament slated on April 28-30, 2010 in Cagayan de Oro City featuring teams from Davao, Zamboanga, Bukidnon, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos City.

Happy Fishermen's victory is due in part on the hardworking players who were selected from different schools in the city as well as the morale support from the coaching staff (Richard Pedregoza and Don Sallegue) and team owner, Michael Buhisan of Marchael Sea Ventures.

The Nokia NBTC D-League is envisioned to be a feeder program for varsity squads and teams catering to leagues such as the UAAP, NCAA, Philippine Basketball League, Philippine Basketball Association and the Liga Pilipinas.