Coaches hail Jr. NBA RP program

Some 200 coaches from Cebu and Metro Manila hailed the Jr. NBA Philippines program presented by Hi-Smart which tipped off in Cebu last Nov. 12 and concluded its coaches’ clinic in Manila Sunday.

The coaches clinics, participated in by local coaches, PE teachers and barangay sports heads, provided new game insights, motivational guides and fundamental skills development drills to the participating mentors who would then run the programs in their respective schools.

They will later name four deserving young basketeers each with ages 12-14 who will take part in the Jr. NBA regional selection camps in December and January.

About 800 to 1,000 kids are expected to join the NBA-style camps in Manila and Cebu, which will lead up to a National Training Camp in late February in Manila.

The best six campers of the National Training Camp will then comprise the Jr. NBA Philippine team which will be rewarded with a US trip where they will watch NBA games live, take part in NBA team camps and play against a Jr. NBA US team.

Coach Frank Lopez Jr, National Basketball Association camp head who has served as camp director for basketball camps of the NBA All-Star Weekend, the Dallas Mavericks, the Orlando Magic and the New Jersey Nets, introduced the coaches to the NBA youth basketball experience, emphasizing values formation, proper diet and nutrition alongside fundamental skills development and the S.T.A.R. program (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Attitude and Respect).

Filipino Jr. NBA coaches led by former Alaska star Elmer Cabahug, Shell standout Al Solis, Purefoods-Ginebra players Rudy Enterina and Larry Villanil assisted coach Frank in Cebu, while Ronnie Magsanoc, Jerry Codiñera, Benjie Paras, Jolly Escobar, Joey Guanio and Jig Mendoza ran the Jr. NBA program in Manila.

“The clinic is awesome. It is nice to know that Jr. NBA takes time to extend knowledge to Filipino coaches for free. I am very privileged to be part of this program and looking forward to the success of basketball in the school through the help of this clinic,” said coach Marie Liza Alvarez of Notre Dame Greater Manila. Noemi Belosillo, DepEd NCR events director has encouraged public school PE teachers to join the program which is conducted free in all its phases by the NBA.

An Open Clinic for boys and girls, complete with NBA games, fun learning methods of health and nutrition conducted by Hi-Smart and Gatorade, surprise numbers, sports drills run by PBA legends and celebrity guests, awaits kids of all ages at SM Marikina on November 29 and 30. Admission is free.

“No doubt about it, there will be a Filipino in the NBA someday. This summer, an Iranian got drafted into the NBA. If he can do it, then I can see anybody in the world doing it and it starts with the kids. That is why we have the Jr. NBA program,” said Coach Frank Lopez.