The first of four NBTC Regional Championships tips off in Oroquieta City, with 24 Mindanao teams battling for four coveted Finals spots.
Basketball fever has started as the provincial teams hit the road for the 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals.
Twenty-four teams from the Southern Philippines take their first steps in Oroquieta City for the Mindanao Regional Championship starting on Thursday, January 18 with four tickets to the Nationals hanging in the balance.
"We're more than excited to hit the ground running. The local qualifying tournaments have unearthed some of the best in their respective provinces and we're more than energized to see them test each other here in the Regional Championships," said NBTC program director Eric Altamirano.
For the second straight year, Oroquieta City serves as the gracious host for the first of four Regional Championships and Mayor Lemuel Acosta is hopeful that this staging would also produce future stars in Philippine basketball from Mindanao.
"Oroquieta City is known as a sports region and isa sa mga goals ko is makapag-produce din tayo ng players na kukunin ng colleges, even in the pros," he said of the competition that will run from Jan. 15 to 18 at Oroquieta City Bayfront Arena.
Last year's Palarong Pambansa MVP Rene Baterbonia banners the names to watch as he leads the charge for Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto from Davao City.
The Jess Evangelio-coached side are aiming for the three-peat and more importantly, a return trip to the National Finals, which is set from March 23 to 29.
But the competition is a lot stiffer this time out, with host team The Misfits from Oroquieta City, Toyland Bistro of Cagayan de Oro City, and Team Parola Panaon from Misamis Occidental all emerging as contenders for the crown.