NBA Mad Skillz acid test for RP dribblers

When NBA Madness takes over Metro Manila Sept. 2-5, one of the event highlights that will rivet public attention will be Coca-Cola’s NBA Mad Skillz — an NBA Pre-Draft Camp activity designed to test players’ fundamental basketball skills.

Using actual NBA drills undergone by NBA players, the objective of the competition is to identify the Philippines’ outstanding all-around basketball players. The program includes six authentic NBA drill stations designed to assess a player’s individual basketball skills. It includes drills in jump-shooting, dribbling, passing, free-throw shooting, speed and footwork, and rebounding and layups.

To join, players may pre-register at designated NBA Mad Skillz booths which will be set up at selected schools and malls beginning Sept. 2. A registration booth will also be set up at the NBA Madness site at SM Mega Mall’s Parking Lot C, which will be transformed into an NBA Camp for the duration of the event.

Players of all ages and different skill levels are welcome to test his or her basketball skills. Boys and girls can compete under three age-groups : under-16 years old, under-18 years old and under-23 years old. Collegiate league players are also welcome to join the competition.

The Coca-Cola Mad Skillz is composed of the following six stations :

The "Shoot Around" which will challenge players’ shooting skills from various distances; the "Dribble Duel" which will test participants’ skills to dribble around various obstacles;

The "Free Throw Shooting Drill" which will test players’ free throw capabilities; the "Passing Zone", which will ask participants to defy the various challenges set up to test their agility and skill in passing the ball;

The "The Mikan Drill" – a lay-up testing exercise that will prove a player’s mettle under the basket; "Defensive Slides" — a time trial that will definitely prove a player’s power in defending his zone.