Jr. NBA coach: Pinoy youth cagers can match up with US kids

MANILA, Philippines – Jr. NBA coach Frank Lopez believes Filipino youth basketball players have the chance to stand up against their counterparts in the United States. “Filipino players have high basketball IQ," said Lopez, who is supervising the training of the 40 cagers in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp at the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Gym in Mandaluyong City. “They can easily absorb principles and skills being taught to them at the camp. They’re quick on the pick-up and they don’t just have the skills; they understand that there are more aspects to the game than just scoring. Above all, I am amazed at their passion," said Lopez, who is a US-trained coach based in Orlando, Florida. Lopez said he and his Jr. NBA assistant coaches have already selected several campers who has the skills to compete against their US Jr, NBA Team. “The US Jr. NBA kids who are mostly in middle school are already very skilled in this game. But I am confident that the kids from the Philippines can face up to them. They really learn fast and well." Some of the campers in the Jr. NBA Training Camp have either been drafted into the Philippine National youth team or has been offered an athletic scholarship in Guam after winning an MVP award and being a member of the Jr. PBA. Another camper is a regular Mythical Team member in the provincial league Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI) while others are being considered to become members in the Philippine national training pool. The 40 players, age 12 to 14, are also being scouted by collegiate squads. The lucky participants came from Cebu, Manila and selected Luzon provinces. Since Friday, they have already experienced 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. Former PBA cagers and now local Jr. NBA coaches Ronnie Magsanoc, Jolly Escobar, Benjie Paras and Elmer Cabahug with Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio are assisting 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. The campers will also learn on proper diet, exercise and nutrition. The six lucky campers will have the chance to watch live NBA games, go on tour and play against the Jr. NBA US team. The 2008 Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Hi-Smart has reached out to over 200 schools across the country this year, reaching 20,000 students, parents, and coaches in Manila and Cebu. – GMANews.TV