40 kids to get NBA-type training in Jr. NBA camp

MANILA, Philippines – Forty kids from Cebu, Manila and selected Luzon provinces earned the chance of experiencing an NBA-type of basketball training when the Jr. NBA Philippines National Training Camp opened Friday at the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Gym in Mandaluyong City. The kids, ages 12 to 14, will endure man-sized conditioning work, hurdle skills development stations, go into full court transition drills, learn low-post, high-post and rip-through moves, play competitive games, do scrimmages, improve team play and pick up all the right moves that will turn them into outstanding, well-rounded basketball players. The Jr. NBA National Training Camp is the final stage of the Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Hi-Smart where the best campers from the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camps in Cebu and Manila will undergo three days of intensive basketball training under US Jr. NBA coach Frank Lopez. Former PBA cagers and now local Jr. NBA coaches Ronnie Magsanoc, Jolly Escobar, Benjie Paras and Elmer Cabahug with Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio will assist Lopez in training, preparing and assessing the campers. They will choose the best six with the highest scores in physical conditioning work, drills performance and all around basketball skills, as well as the Jr. NBA STAR values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (Positive) Attitude and Respect which will be the members of the Jr. NBA Philippines Team that will be rewarded with a trip to New York and New Jersey in April. The six lucky campers will have the chance to watch live NBA games, go on tour and play against the US Jr. NBA US. At the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, the kids are also expected to undergo seminars on proper diet, exercise and nutrition and learn all about the Jr. NBA STAR values. NBA Asia managing director Mark Fischer and US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney were the special guests of the opening ceremony held at the JRU Gym. – GMANews.TV