The spirits, unity, cooperation, and camaraderie are truly remarkable among students and officials participating in the ongoing National Basketball Championship (NBC) Inter-High.
After birth pain for the inaugural leg in Pampanga, the league is taking one step at a time.
And no doubt, even Jojo Flores, the brainchild of this nationwide search for future basketball stars, is ecstatic about what transpired before his very own eyes.
"Well, nao-overwhelm din ako sa nangyayari. After three legs, yung future ng basketball nakikita nating may patutunguhan sa ginagawa nating program," said Flores, the Chief Executive Officer of the organizing Jams Entertainment Corporation.
Under the flagship Jams Sports, Flores first embarked on basketball clinics and 3x3 basketball in barangays, communities, and schools.
His interest in basketball is unparalleled being an active junior player before injury struck like a thief in the night.
"Naglalaro rin kasi tayo ng basketball kaya mahal nation itong sports. Natigil lang ako dahil sa injury kaya di na rin ako tumuloy during college days. Kaya ngayon tutulong tayo para mabigyan natin ng opportunity yung mga bata na maabot ang kanilang pangarap na imaging scholar, makarating sa college at mag-excell sa basketball," added Flores.
It only takes the commitment of friends including PBA future Hall-of-Famer Arwind Santos who served as the league Commissioner that Flores decided to launch the league for boys 19 and under targeting the participation of over 200 private schools nationwide.
"Ang NBC Inter-High ang stepping stone para sa ating mga kabataan na naghahangad na makalaro sa mas mataas na level ng kompetisyon. After three legs, nakita natin na maraming talents na puwedeng madevelop. I'm hoping by next year, mas maraming schools as NCR ang magparticipate dahil dito natin sisimulan ang Second season," said Flores.
"Yung exposure playing heavyweight schools like the Far Eastern University ay malaking impact sa mga players. Gusto nating makita yung mga pinakamahuhusay outside the established school-based league kaya open tayo sa lahat na interesadong sumali," stressed Flores.
The UAAP reigning junior champion was a runaway winner in the Manila leg and will represent NCR in the North Luzon championship happening next year.
The league has scheduled eliminations in Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Ilocos, and Bicol, when the South Luzon qualifying already started with the Cavite leg which fired off last Thursday in Bacoor City.
"Susuyurin natin ang buong bansa, next year punta tayo sa Viasayas and Mindanao," said Flores.
All games in the NBC Inter-High will be telecast on a delayed basis on JampsapTV every Monday to Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can download JamsapTV in Android mobile phones.