Youth players from the Regional Selection Camp in Metro Manila shined the brightest among 72 boys and girls in the National Training Camp of Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska held at the Don Bosco Technical Institute May 12-13 and at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on May 14, attended by Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton and former WNBA All-Star Sue Wicks.
Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches fundamental skills, builds character, and promotes active lifestyles for Filipinos nationwide. Payton and Wicks joined Jr. NBA Coaches Chris Sumner and Jeffrey Cariaso in training and working with the young campers throughout the National Training Camp. Jr. NBA Asia Advisory Council members including NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo also attended the final day of the National Training Camp.
Eight boys and eight girls comprised of players from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were selected as Jr. NBA All-Stars on the last day of the three-day camp that honed and tested the basketball skills of regional finalists from tryouts staged in Cagayan de Oro, Lucena, Cebu and Manila earlier this year.
Kenji Trey Duremdes, 14, Jan Clement Macalalag, 13, and Victorino Torres, 13, of La Salle Greenhills; Joachim Eddie Laure of University of Santo Tomas High School; Johndel Austria, 13, of Escuela de Sophia-Caloocan; Ian Dominic Espinosa, 13, of Ateneo de Iloilo; Reinhard Jumanoy, 13, of University of San Carlos-North Campus; and Jeryk Dwight Bait, 14, of St. Francis National High School in Lucena represent the boys named as Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 All-Stars.
The girls selected as Jr. NBA All-Stars are composed of Boni Marylene Solis, 12; Jane Araza, 13, and Jeehan Nikaela Ahmed, 13, of Chiang Kai Shek College; Jazmine Ann Maniquis, 13, of St. Paul Pasig; Lindsey Nacional, 13, of La Salle College Antipolo; Camille Nolasco, 14, of Miriam College; and Chinnsai Demana, 13, of the University of the Visayas in Cebu.
Catrina June Biongcog of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and Jed Cabellon of Southwestern Univerrsity of Cebu meanwhile were selected as the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 Coaches of the Year. The Jr. NBA All-Stars together with the Coaches of the Year will be rewarded with an overseas NBA experience later this year and will be joined by fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia.
The following players also received special awards for their outstanding achievements in the National Training Camp: Mariela Avila of Lucena and Zean Paolo Moreno of Cagayan De Oro, Panasonic Rising S.T.A.R. Award; Camille Nolasco of Manila and Ian Espinosa of Iloilo, Cloudfone All-Star Players of the Game; Princess Delig of Cebu and Johndel Austria of Manila, Gatorade Hustle Award; Yza Camila Alarcon of Manila and Maverick John Vieto of Lucena, Globe Telecom Sportsmanship Award; Camille Nolasco and Joachim Eddie Laure of Manila, Alaska Ambassadors; and Boni Marylene Solis and Kenji Duremdes, Jr. NBA Most Valuable Players.
Additionally, the National Training Camp showcased the fifth edition of the Jr. NBA All-Star alumni game hosting several past Jr. NBA All-Stars who have ascended in the amateur and collegiate ranks, and staged the first ever alumni homecoming of the Jr. NBA Philippines program.
To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.