Jr. NBA holds school, coaching clinics in Metro, provinces

MANILA, Philippines - The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska is back in the Philippines for the sixth consecutive year with stops in Metro Manila, Dagupan, Lucena and Davao City.

The NBA’s international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children, the Jr. NBA 2013 Philippine schedule includes school clinics as well as coaching seminars in the lead-up to regional selection camps in each of the four cities.

The program, open to kids between 10 and 14 years old, will conclude in Metro Manila with the Jr. NBA National Training Camp.

Alaska Powdered Milk Drink serves as presenting partner of the Jr. NBA program for the third consecutive year.

“Alaska has played a central role in the growth of the Jr. NBA program as they share the NBA’s commitment to the development of both the sport of basketball and the youth of the Philippines,” said Carlo Singson, NBA country manager, Philippines.

“Alaska is committed to developing talent early on and we are pleased to return once again as the presenting partner of this youth-inspiring event,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr., the Alaska Milk Corp. president and CEO. “The Jr. NBA is a great fit with Alaska’s mission to nurture talent and promote a healthy lifestyle through sports from an early stage, and we look forward to yet another successful program this year.”

This year’s program will tip off with a coaching clinic in Manila on Jan. 19, followed by school and coaching clinics in Davao City, Lucena City and Dagupan City. Regional Selection Camps will be held in March and April, after which the top 50 participants from all over the country will participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp in Manila from April 26-28.

As part of Alaska Milk’s support of the Jr. NBA, 10 of the 50 National Training Camp participants will be selected from this year’s Alaska Basketball Power Camp. The Jr. NBA National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of the Jr. NBA All-Star Team, providing the 10 best campers a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a Jr. NBA team from another country.

NBA Asia’s director of basketball operations, Sefu Bernard, will serve as the Jr. NBA coach and oversee the program along with local coaches selected by the NBA, and coaches of the Alaska Power Camp, led by PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa. The top 10 finalists for the 2013 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will assist in teaching the NBA skill stations as well as communicating the importance of the Jr. NBA core values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect (S.T.A.R.). The Coach of the Year award winner will be announced at the National Training Camp, which will also be attended by an NBA legend and feature NBA Cares community outreach.

Other partners are  Gatorade, Unilever’s Rexona and Master and Phoenix Petroleum,  KFC and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Jr.  and The Philippine STAR.

The Jr. NBA program was first conducted in the Philippines in 2007 and has more than doubled in participation in the past five years. Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches.  The program remains free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino kids who want to join the program.  Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA event website www.jrnba.com.ph. Fans can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines. For all things NBA, visit us at www.nba.com or follow us on our official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/NBA_Philippines.