TWO young Bacolod hoopsters join eight other aspiring basketball stars to represent Mindanao in the 2013 Jr. NBA Philippines National Training Camp in Manila on April 26 to 28.
Jan Gabriel Sobrevega and Jose Antiporda from the University of St. La Salle-Integrated School came out on top along with eight other players who tried out in the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp presented by Alaska held at the University of South Eastern Philippines Gym on April 1 and 2.
Making the cut with Sobrevega and Antiporda are Paolo Coquilla, Mahloney Tarranza, Cornelio Reta and John Cañete from Davao; John Lloyd Bernales and Lorenz Viajar from Bukidnon; Anthony Sistoza from General Santos and Earl Vincent Areola from Cagayan de Oro.
About 500 10 to 14 years old players from southern Philippines initially participated in the camp. The participants were trimmed down to the Top 40 performers and the top ten were singled out from this group.
The Davao finalists were chosen by the Jr. NBA evaluation committee headed by Jr. NBA head coach Sefu Bernard, Senior Director of Basketball Operations of NBA Asia, and PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa of the Alaska Power Camp.
Their all-around basketball skills and how they exhibited the Jr. NBA's core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (a positive) Attitude and Respect were key factors in their selection.
"This was a very competitive group that made the job of the coaching staff to make a decision very difficult. These boys worked hard, they competed, and they helped each other along the way. It's great to see such a fantastic turnout and such a deep pool of future Pinoy basketball players to come," said Coach Sefu Bernard in an official press statement from the Jr. NBA.
Two more Regional Selection Camps will follow Davao - Lucena on April 6 and 7 at the Quezon Convention Center and Manila on April 13 and 14 at the Aquinas School Gym in San Juan City.
The best players selected in the Regional Selections will be joined by the top 10 performers from the Alaska Power Camp in the National Training Camp which will be held at the UP Diliman Gym on April 26 and 27 and at the SM-Mall of Asia on April 28.
In the Manila finals, all the best players from each region will pit skills and the ways in which they express the STAR values during the three-day boot camp that will prepare them to be exceptional athletes and total persons on and off the court.
The ten best performers selected in the National Training Camp will be this year's Jr. NBA Philippines All Star Team who will be rewarded with a trip abroad for an authentic NBA experience and the chance to play with a counterpart Jr. NBA team abroad.
NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues will arrive in Manila for the National Training Camp and join the coaching staff of the Jr. NBA.
In addition to Presenting Partner Alaska Powdered Milk Drink, Official Partners include the NBA's official sports drink, Gatorade, Unilever's flagship brands Rexona and Master and new partner, Phoneix Petroleum. Returning as Jr. NBA Supporting Partners are KFC and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines.