MILLIONS of boys and girls in the Philippines just love to play basketball. These youngsters can be seen not just in organized varsity sports but in barangay basketball courts, street corners and every open space they could find to play their favorite sport.
Nike went around the country to find the 24 best (male and female) players to give them a chance to reach their full potential as basketball players through the reality TV program: Nike Rise.
National Basketball Association player Paul George gives him
important pointers during the midday training session.
“There is no lack of basketball talent in the Philippines. But there may be a lack of opportunity. Every basketball player wants to reach new heights in his game so he can bring his game out there and reach his or her basketball dream. Nike wants to help them get out of their comfort zone so they can make that next step that will make them rise to the top of their game. By providing them with a professionally run basketball program and product innovations to support them, they can hopefully make their dreams come true,” said Patrick Reyes, Country Marketing Manager of Nike Philippines.
On hand during the launch last week to inspire the street ballers was National Basketball Association player Paul George who served as the mentor of the 24 players.
George opened the House of Rise, the main training ground for Rise players, and introduced the 24 Rise players who have embarked on a six-week journey of high-level basketball training.
jubilant Rise players as they celebrate the conclusion of the game
which ended with a spectacular play.
The lucky 24 Rise players get the chance to live like a Nike athlete: getting professional training every day consisting of skills drills and strength and conditioning workouts.
Training is conducted by the Nike Rise coaching staff led by Coach Chot Reyes. The players are given training tools that will help them analyze their game and get better at it, raise their level through speed, shooting and defensive exercises, and be motivated by athletes who will share their own Rise stories.
The audience can follow the 24 kids on their Rise journey until the final 12 players that comprise the Rise Team are chosen over TV5. The show is every Sunday.
The 24 include Algin Andaya from Navotas, Steven Art Andres from Pandacan, Jharrel Beltran from Ifugao, Julius Binarao from Olongapo, Jude Bulan from Cebu, Kristine Cayabyab from Dagupan, Kenric Cilot from Muntinlupa, Danilo Contado from Cebu, Joseph Corpuz from Davao, Nelson Deocera from Pampanga, Rossini Briana Espinas from Davao, and John Paul Fernandez from Manila.
Others are Dean Fudotan from Laguna, Paul Reginald Jackson from Olongapo, Ren Kenneth Manuel from Novaliches, Jair Borne Marabe from Tacloban, Christopher Perez from Olongapo, Michale Angelo Pingol, Michael Angelo from Cavite, Kherlie Pino from Cebu, Michael Teves from Cebu, John Lester Tobilla from Leyte, Norman Torbeles from Manila, John Lennon Villanueva from Manila and Roland Patrick Vinasoy from Makati.
That evening George also dropped in on local kids playing basketball at a tenement court as he saw firsthand the passion displayed by local players in Pinoy streetball.
The Rise players have been equipped with the best Nike Basketball product innovations that include both training apparel and footwear. For supporters and fans, the Nike Rise collection of tees and signature athlete shoes will be available at selected Nike stores beginning July 2015.
For behind-the-scenes and additional training information, go to Nike.com. Keep track of online content through #Rise.