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Thursday, March 28, 2024

JrNBA and JrWNBA Presented by Alaska draws record number

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THIS just keeps getting bigger and better.

The JrNBA/JrWNBA Presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp at the Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City drew an all-time record number of 1,114 participants (1,030 boys and 84 girls) last weekend.

Sixteen boys and eight girls stood out over the rest and will advance to the next phase of the program which is the National Training Camp to be held April 22 to 24.

One boy, 6’9” Kai Sotto just 13 years old and the tallest to ever participate in the program for boys and girls 10 to 14 years old, literally stood out from all the rest. Sotto was recruited to join the Under-16 Philippine national basketball team days after he was discovered during the camp.

Kai Sotto (23), who is all of six feet nine inches tall, jumps at center court during a jumpball at the JrNBA/JrWNBA Presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp held at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati.

Fourteen of the 16 JrNBA finalists are from Metro Manila. They include Mark Glenn Gabon, 14, of National University; Luis Gabriel Aguila, 13, of Nazareth School of NU; Johndhel Austria, 13, of Escuela de Sophia; Jearico Nunez, 13, of University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta; Kai Zachary Sotto, 13, Jericho Ross Paglinawan, 14 and Mark Nicole Lucban, 13 of St. Francis of Assisi School; Reich Randell Villegas, 13, of Ateneo de Manila; Prince Junnell de Belen, 13, of San Isidro Catholic School; Pauloh Villarin, 13, of De La Salle Zobel; Patrick Lance Inting, 14, of Our Lady of Pillar Catholic School; and Miguel Rey Luis, 13, of Xavier School.

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Two boys came from Batangas and Bacolod. They are Anjelo Raphael Argente, 14, of De La Salle Lipa and Andrei Philip Lechoncito, 13, of St. John’s Institute of Bacolod.

Eight girls were selected. They are Dianne Camille Nolasco, 11, of Miriam College; Lalaine Gonzales, 13, of Escuela de Sophia; Carly Monreal, 13, and Princess Marie Villarin, 10, of De La Salle Zobel; Jonalyn Bongalos of University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta; Magda Lioui Flores, 13, of Christian Grace School of Cavite; Lindsey Nacional, 12, of Baptist Bible Seminary Institute, Taytay; and Ma. Cecilia Quilenderino, 13, of Dalig National High School of Antipolo.

Carly Monreal (center) dribbles past fellow De La Salle Zobel student Chynna Amol (10) and Magda Lioui Flores (right) of Christian Grace School of Cavite during the second day of the JrWNBA/JrWNBA Presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp at Don Bosco Makati.

The fourth and final JrNBA/JrWNBA Philippines 2016 Regional Selection Camp had the most participants to ever to join a Regional Selection Camp since the start of the grassroots program in 2007.

The camp attracted young players from as far as Southern Tagalog and even the Visayas. Jem Joaquin, 14, and Mark Salibio, 12, are indigenous people of the Ati tribe in Boracay.

The participants went through extensive skills challenges with 30 girls and 50 boys advancing to Day 2 and competing with peers in scrimmages. 

Selected by the JrNBA/JrWNBA evaluation committee led by JrNBA Coach Craig Brown and Alaska Aces Assistant Coach Jeffrey Cariaso, the 24 JrNBA and JrWNBA players will move on to the National Training Camp after showing all-around skills and exhibiting the JrNBA/JrWNBA core STAR values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect.

The JrNBA/JrWNBA Presented by Alaska National Training Camp, featuring an NBA and WNBA player or legend, will gather all regional picks from Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Manila, and top Alaska Power Camp performers.

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