A record-breaking 1,505 young basketball players across Mindanao welcomed the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska at Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City, Philippines from February 24-25, 2018. Boys and girls from Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Davao, Sarangani and other cities and provinces in Mindanao, including young Higa-onon, Manobo and Banwaon players, participated in the first-ever Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp in Butuan.
Eleven aspirants got the nod from Jr. NBA Coaches Rob Newson and Jeffrey Cariaso as they excelled in two days’ worth of intense basketball training and scrimmages. They also exemplified the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp.
The 11 aspirants are travelling to Metro Manila, Philippines for the National Training Camp from May 18-20, 2018. Among them, seven are boys and four are girls.
For the boys division are Richard Carvero III, 13, and Paolo Matthew Kho, 13, of Corpus Christi School; Christian Joi Mesias, 14, of Jose Maria College; Zhan Paolo Moreno, 13, of Xavier University; Michael John Sarmiento, 13, of Father Saturnino Urios University; Klein Tyrone Tagotongan, 13, of St. Mary’s School; and Vince Uchi, 14, of Alabel National Science High School. For the girls division are Madelyn Flores, 14, of Bukidnon National High School; Aishe Solis, 13, of Corpus Christi School; Mikylla Taborada, 13, of Kauswagan National High School; and Pauline Angelique Valle, 13, of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School.
“There’s a lot of talent here,” Coach Newson said. “We were really impressed with at least three of the kids who were selected that we really feel have the natural ability to make it until the end. The kids love the game. They worked really hard and I’m excited to see them in Manila.”
Boys and girls aged 10-14 who want to join the NBA’s free youth basketball program can still participate in the two remaining Regional Selection Camps in Baguio on March 17-18, 2018 and Metro Manila on April 21-22, 2018. Interested participants can still register online at www.jrnba.asia where the program terms and conditions can be found.
CONAN Daily 