THE 11 best young basketball players from the Visayas passed through the gauntlet of the Cebu Regional Selection Camp at the Don Bosco Technology Center in Labangon, Cebu City last weekend to advance to the JrNBA and JrWNBA Presented by Alaska National Training Camp.
The players were chosen from 333 youngsters who went through the rigorous selection process of the two-day camp.
Eight players from Cebu will head the delegation to the NTC. The Cebuanos include five boys in Justin Atilano, 13 and Tracy Carl Dadang, 13, of the University of San Carlos; Lowell Jhan Francis Chan, 13 and Anskie McLouise Respina, 13, of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu; and Kendall Limana, 13, of Abellana National High School.
The high school girls basketball team of Abellana National School swept all slots for girls when three of their rookie players – Daphne Nardo, 13; Florence Jil Talas, 13 and Darliene Ragasajo, 13 – qualified to the NTC.
Three boys from Bacolod will join them. They are Harold Alarcon, 13 and Fritz Felix Valencia, 13, of Bacolod Tay Tung High School and Nicholas Steven Pura, 13, of St. John’s Institute.
The players were tested in the skills stations where their dribbling, passing and shooting skills were measured. They also played against each other in in competitive scrimmages.
The aspirants were judged not just for their basketball skills but more for their display of the STAR values of sportsmanship, teamwork, positive attitude and respect.
The final selection camp will be held at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati on April 9 and 10.
Fifty boys and 24 girls from the selection camps will advance to the NTC on April 22 to 24 at the SM Mall of Asia. The final 10 boys and five girls will be named to the JrNBA and JrWNBA All-Star team.
The All-Star Team will travel overseas for their NBA experience trip together with fellow JrNBA All-Stars from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. The 2015 JrNBA All-Stars traveled to China to watch the NBA Global Games in Shenzhen featuring the Charlotte Hornets and the L.A. Clippers.
The Alaska JrNBA and JrWNBA is not just searching for the best basketball players. It also challenges and inspires children to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life. It is free and open to boys and girls born 2002 to 2006.
For general information about JrNBA and JrWNBA Presented by Alaska please visit www.jrnba.asia/philippines, www.alaskamilk.com, and www.alaskapowercamp.com/basketball. For live updates log on to www.playph.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @playph #jrnba #jrwnba.