Eight boys and thirteen girls will represent Metro Manila during the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska National Training Camp on May 12-14 at the Don Bosco Technical Institute and SM Mall of Asia. Over 1,300 young players ages 10-14 years old participated in the fourth and final Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA program held this weekend at Don Bosco Makati. The 1,333 campers 1,208 boys and 125 girls came from schools in Antipolo, Mandaluyong, Manila, Makati, Batangas, Palawan, Mindoro and Iloilo.
John Dhel Austria, 14, of Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan; Joachin Echo, 14 of University of Santo Tomas High School; Ian Dominic Espinosa, 13, and John Michael Vicencio, 13, of Ateneo de Iloilo; Ronald Corj Trinidad, 13, of Pedro Guevara Memorial National High School; Ren Cobie Tolentino, 13, of Grace Christian College; Dietherd Torres, 13, of La Salle Green Hills and Clarence Andrei Ramos, 14 of Adamson University are the Jr. NBA representatives from the NCR at the National Training Camp.
Bonie Marylene Solis, 13, Jeehan Nikale Ahmed, 13 and Edel Jane Araza, 13 of Chiang Kai Shek College; Princess Bj Marie Villarin, 11 of De La Salle Zobel; Dianne Camille Nolasco, 14, of Miriam College; Lindsey Nacional, 13, of La Salle College Antipolo; Eriel Raven Lacanlale, 13 and Jazmine-ann Maniquis, 12, of St. Paul College Pasig; Yza Camila Shalea Alarcon, 12, of New Era High School; Abby Rose Ruiz, 13, of Palawan National School; Gabbie Angeline Wong, 14, of Fairhope Academy; Franzelle Angela Chelzea Besa, 12, of Divine Word College of Calapan Crizan Phiel Pangilinan,13, of the School of the Holy Spirit, Quezon City are the WNBA representatives to the next phase of the Jr. NBA program.
The first day of the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp featured fundamental skills challenges with the top performing athletes progressing to Day 2 that featured advanced basketball drills and scrimmages. The Jr. NBA evaluation committee led by Jr. NBA Coach Jeffrey Cariaso of the Alaska Aces searched for players that showcased all-around basketball skills and embodied the Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. values of Sportmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitide, and Respect.
Jr. NBA All-Star alumni Edrian Custodio, Rhic Gatuz, Ernest Felicilda, Daniel Coo, Josh Garing, Jearico Nuñez and Jr. WNBA All-Stars Akemi Marteja, Pankie David, Mika Pentecostes, Carly Monreal, Nicky Quelenderino and Kreecie Binaohan attended the camp to extend their support to the participants and share their Jr. NBA experiences with them. “We can see ourselves in these young players and are excited to see the best boys and girls in the Philippines emerge as Jr. NBA All-Stars,” said Edrian Custodio, a varsity member of De La Salle-Zobel high school basketball team. “We encourage them to continue to work hard, be humble and believe in themselves as they pursue their basketball careers, bringing with them values and lessons from the Jr. NBA program.”
An NBA and WNBA player will come to Manila to help coach the finalists at the National Training Camp. In previous years, NBA legends BJ Armstrong, Al Green, Luc Longley, and Muggsy Bogues, NBA players Gordon Hayward, Nerlens Noel, and Norris Cole, and WNBA legends Tina Thompson, Ruth Riley, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin have joined the Jr. NBA National Training Camp to coach the athletes and participate in NBA Cares initiatives.
The top eight boys and eight girls will comprise the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 All-Stars selected among the regional finalists at the National Training Camp. They will embark on an overseas trip to watch an NBA preseason game and experience playing with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia.
For more information, NBA, fans can visit www.nba.com.
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