Toroman to conduct 1-day clinic for high school prospects

MANILA, Philippines – The 30 players who were chosen to play in the SEA Oil National Basketball Training Center High School All-Star Game on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City will get a chance to learn from no less than former Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman himself.

NBTC program director Eric Altamirano said Toroman, who is now consultant of all San Miguel Corp.-owned basketball teams in the PBA and ABL, has agreed to conduct a basketball seminar tomorrow at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City to all the players who were chosen to see action in the All-Star showdown.

"All of them will get a chance to learn from coach Rajko Toroman himself. That's a treat to them for being chosen in the All-Star," said Altamirano in today's event launch at the National Sports Grill at Greenbelt in Makati City.

NBTC's training director Alex Compton and Ato Badolato, who chaired the selection committee that pruned down the players competing in the All-Star from hundreds to just 30, were also present in the press launch sponsored by SEA Oil.

Badolato, perhaps the winningest high school coach in the land who now serves as San Beda's athletic director, said they've chosen the best of the best, not just in Metro Manila but also in the provinces.

"We've based it on their performance and their attitude on and off the court," said Badolato.

Compton said Brit Reroma of reigning NCAA juniors champion San Beda and Jeff Napa of defending UAAP high school titlist National U are coaching in the All-Stars and will have 15 players each from the total pool.

Energen Pilipinas team captain JJ Alejandro, Xavier star Jeron Teng, San Beda's G-Boy Babilonia, La Salle-Greenhills' Thomas Torres, and Chiang Kai Shek's Kevin Baytan represented the players in the press conference.

Of the 30, six will come from the province, including Paul Jabines, who has thrived and succeeded even though his home province of Cagayan de Oro City was ravaged by flooding late last year.

"He's an inspiration to everyone including myself," said Compton referring to Jabines.

Jabines will be part of the light team that will be composed of Alejandro, Baytan, Francis Abarcar, John Boo, Kim Cinco, Daryl Nazareno, Ian Carlo Valdez, McJour Luib, Ariel Basas Jr., Brian Ilarde, Ralph Tnasingco, Tomas Ramos, Julius Cadavis and Randolph Torino.

Teng, Torres, Babilonia, Paul Nieles, Jason Ligad, Kyle Suarez, Gabriel Reyes, Ralph Napa, Van Adam Abatayo, Antonio Bonsubre, Edric estacio, Janmer Gabito, Paul Razel Rubin and Dave Wilson Yu will make up the dark squad.