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40 Pinoy youngsters enter Jr. NBA national training camp


MANILA, Philippines – A total of 40 players nationwide have qualified for the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, half of them coming from the regional leg held recently for youth in Metro Manila and in Luzon. The other 20 came from Cebu. The whole batch will convene again in the national camp slated February 27 to March 1 at the Jose Rizal University Gym in Mandaluyong City. The Metro Manila-Luzon leg dubbed the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp was held for two days in the recent weekend at the JRU Gym. Jr. NBA coaches Jolly Escobar, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras and Ryan Gregorio presided over the camp that welcomed 200 participants. In the end, the players -- known only by their registration numbers -- were scored based on their physical and agility tests, their ratings in the Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (Positive) Attitude and Respect, and their performances during the scrimmages. "We were on the lookout for total players -- the entire package of basketball skills, values and positive attitude," Magsanoc said. "We were very impressed with the talent level. But the real battle begins on February 27, the start of the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, where they will find stiff competition from other players. "The odds are going to be tougher -- forty players chasing six slots. Will they be able to handle the pressure? It's really going to be survival of the fittest." From 40, the number will be trimmed down further to six who will make up the Jr. NBA Philippine Team. That squad will be rewarded with an all-expenses paid trip to the US to watch an NBA game live and play against a counterpart US Jr. NBA Team. The 20 players from Luzon are: Carlo Escalambre, Dominic Domalanta, Emilio Puno, Roelandt John Gallardo, Mark Gamboa, Michael Jay Javelosa, Russell Fernandez, Reynald Magsalin, Carlos Nicolo Mercado, Gideon Ira Babilonia, Jose Gabriel Sumanguid, Joseph Bryan Operario, Dion Jackson, Les Paul Sanez, Shaquille Oswald Alanes, Thaddeus Dominique Ballada, Aldrin C. Fegidero, Neil Brian Ilarde, Jayson Angelo Nasayao, and Miguel Javier Palana. Those who qualified from the Visayas are: Ray Daniel Abbu, Iszak Kiefer Lim, Arc Gabriel Araw-Araw, Mark Jayven Tallo, Jomari Jericho Dinsay, Justin Jay Dela Cruz, Raul Dominic Antigua, Bradley Bacaltos, Jose Mario Pono, Lucky Suan, Patrick Nigel Go, Venezer Ian Bensig, Jomarie Gairanod, Nemenio Niko, Mhike Spencer Patalinghug, Noel Villaceran, Kristoffer Porter, Adrian Marvin Muller, Wablymar Del Rosario and Tecson Gacrama. The 2008 Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Hi-Smart has reached out to over 200 schools across the country, reaching an estimated 20,000 students, parents, and coaches in Manila and Cebu. Two sets of Jr. NBA Coaches Clinics were conducted in Cebu and Manila in November by US Jr. NBA coach Frank Lopez and involved local coaches in the intensive basketball training, skills development and grassroots talent identification of the NBA in the Visayas and the NCR. Jr. NBA, the leading youth basketball program in the United States is also being promoted China, Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Puerto Rico, the Marianas Islands and involves players, coaches, parents and school officials. – GMANews.TV

Tags: jrnba
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