Pinoys join Jr NBA/Jr WNBA bash

BEIJING – The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program in Asia has grown in stature and participation through the years with the organizers confident of further expanding its base in the future.

The Jr. NBA program kicked off in the Philippines in 2007 not only to further generate NBA awareness among the youth but also to conduct training camps for both young players and aspiring coaches.

Seven years later, the rest of Southeast Asia has taken up the Jr. NBA program with camps held in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In fact, delegations from these four SEA countries, including the Philippines, are here in this Chinese capital for a series of exhibition games and cage clinics highlighting the 2014 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All Stars.

“The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA programs have grown and we’re optimistic it will grow even further in the coming years,” said Dennis Kim, events coordinator for the organizing NBA Asia, Limited.

More than 50 kids 13 to 14 years old are taking part in this unique gathering with the Philippines represented by 10 boys and five girls whose trip here is sponsored by Alaska Milk and the NBA.

They are Jethro Rocamora of First Baptist Christian School, Andrew Vincent Velasco of Ateneo de Cebu, SJ Belangel of Taytung, Vince Leo Dolendo and David Leonardo Umadhay of Huasiong College, Rhayyan Amsali of Nazareth School, Paul Matthew Manalang of NU and Jan Cyril Narvasa of UST and Luigi Miguel Velasco of La Salle-Greenhills, who emerged the top campers from among over 2,000 aspirants.

Arielle Marie Lanot of La Salle-Zobel,  Kreecie Bettina Binaohan and Roxanne Salvador both of Perpetual Help, Karl Ann Pingol of Pototan School in Iloilo and Mary Jean Pascua of University of Southern Philippines in Cebu make up the girls’ roster.

Each country also has its top male and female coaches with the Filipinos represented by Tacloban City’s Andy Tecocan and St. Stephen High’s Pia Dysangco.

Meanwhile, all Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA representatives will participate in a basketball clinic at the Yao School, owned by retired former NBA All-Star Yao Ming.

Participants will also be spread out to play friendly games before watching the 2014 Beijing Global Games presented by ZTE featuring the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings at the Mastercard Center.

“It’s a fun experience because we’re not only treated to see some of China’s famous places but also watch an NBA game live,” said Luigi Velasco.