SLAM Phl gathers top HS players in Rising Stars Classic

MANILA, Philippines - SLAM PHILIPPINES, the no. 1 ‘in your face basketball magazine’, is bringing together Metro Manila’s top 24 high school players in the first ever 2014 SLAM Rising Stars Classic presented by Cherifer PGM 10-22.

The premier high school all-star game serves as a platform to showcase the nation’s top high school players in front of coaches, scouts, pro ballers and select media. It provides these future stars another venue to prove that they belong with the elite, and ultimately, claim bragging rights.

“The SLAM Rising Stars Classic is a gathering of the best high school players, a showcase event featuring the future of Philippine hoops and a unique opportunity to introduce the future of the sport to influencers in the basketball community”, said Mico Halili, Editor-At-Large of SLAM Philippines. “SLAM Philippines believes in the dreamers. We believe in their future. We believe in the power of their dreams.”

The exhibition game will take place at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City on Saturday, March 29, tipping off at 4PM, and will air on Fox Sports at 8PM on Sunday, April 20. Replay dates are scheduled on April 21 (5PM), April 22 (5AM), April 23 (10PM), and April 26 (1PM).

The 2014 SLAM Rising Stars Classic brings together UAAP Jrs. Season 76 MVP Thirdy Ravena from Ateneo, NCAA Jrs. Season 89’s MVP Prince Rivero from La Salle Green Hills and the San Beda Red Cubs’ Finals MVP Arvin Tolentino, who all represented the Philippines late last year as members of the Under-18 FIBA 3-on-3 Philippine Team. Also included in the star-studded roster is UAAP Jrs. Season 76 Finals MVP Hubert Cani from NU and leading scorer Renzo Subido from De La Salle Zobel along with 19 other top high school prospects to complete the line-up.

Boasting a deep recruiting class, several players have already committed to colleges, with Ravena and Tolentino joining the Ateneo Blue Eagles, while Rivero is off to be a DLSU Green Archer. With most of the players not yet committed, the SLAM Rising Stars Classic is a great opportunity for college coaches to take a look at the talent available to help boost their lineup in the upcoming collegiate basketball seasons.

Five-time PBA champion and former FIBA Asia U-18 Philippine head coach Olsen Racela will coach Team Punks, with 12-time PBA champion Johnny Abarrientos serving as assistant coach. Eight-time UAAP Jrs. Champion head coach and current FIBA Asia U-18 Philippine head coach Jamike Jarin will coach Team Hype, assisted by six-time PBA Champion and current Talk N’ Text point guard Jimmy Alapag.

This annual event is presented by Cherifer PGM 10-22, and supported by Fox Sports, Gatorade, LGR Sportswear and Titan.

For more information, log on to www.slamonlineph.com, or follow SLAM PHILIPPINES on Facebook, @slamonlineph on Twitter and Instagram. #SLAMRisingStars