NI RAFAEL BANDAYREL

PINANGASIWAAN nina Sacramento Kings starting center Willie Cauley-Stein at WNBA Hall-of-Famer Sheryl Swoopes ang isinagawang Jr. NBA Philippines National Training Camp at kapwa namangha ang dalawa sa kahusayan ng mga batang finalists nitong weekend sa Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Nagbigay din nang kaunting kaalaman sa basic basketball sina Cauley-Stein at Swoopes. Sa kabuuan ng dalawang araw na programa, walang duda na napabilib ng Pinoy cagers ang dalawang basketball superstars.

“It’s been great working with these kids, the coaches, and everybody who bring this all together, make sure things run real smooth. I was really blessed to come out here and be graced by your culture,” pahayag ng seven-footer na si Cauley-Stein.

“The Jr. NBA program gives us the opportunity to contribute to our goal of getting more kids to play the game of basketball and help them understand how working hard on their craft can open doors and unlock greater opportunities in life,” sambit ni Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes. “I came here to inspire you but your passion and eagerness to learn inspire me and I’m so grateful for that,” aniya.

Sa pagtatapos ng training camp na ginanap sa Don Bosco Technical Institute ar MOA Music Hall, napili ang walong lalaki at walong babae mula sa 74 finalists para katawanin ang Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars.

Tinanghal na Mot Valuable Player ang 14-anyos na si Prince Ray Alao ng San Beda University sa boys class kung saan nakasama niyang napili na nakapgpamalas ng katauhan na nagpapakita ng mga kalidad sa Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. Values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect sina Ethan Rod Alian, 14, ng La Salle Greenhills; John Lester Amagan, 14, ng St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo; Seven Gagate, 14, ng Chiang Kai Shek College; Nathan Jan Jundana, 14, ng Bacolod Tay Tung; Christian Joi Mesias, 14, ng Jose Maria College of Davao; Kim Aaron Tamayo, 13, ng National University; at Rhon Khaniel Telles, 13, ng St. Anthony de Carmelli Academy of Cavite.

Nakakuha naman ng slot sa girls class sina Madelyn Flores, 14, ng Bukidnon National High School; Gin Kayla Huelar, 13, ng St. La Salle University, Bacolod; Aishe Solis, 13, ng Corpus Christi School in Cagayan De Oro; Pauline Angelique Valle, 13, ng Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School; Christine Nichole Venterez, 12, ng Baguio City National High School; Marielle Vingno, 14, ng Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan Inc.; Amber Esquivel, 14, at Kyla Marie Mataga, 13, ng De La Salle Zobel.

Ang Jr. NBA Philippines ay bibiyahe sa Shanghai, China sa Oktubre para makiisa sa NBA China Games kung saan tampok ang laro ng Philadelphia 76ers at Dallas Mavericks.

“Events like these are pretty interesting because we are able to find diamonds in the rough,” pahayag ni NBA Philippines Associate Vice President Carlo Singson.

“The players have been close and they’ve been through a lot during the program. We’re not just teaching them [basketball] but we’re also teaching them to have a good relationship with each other,” sambit ni Alaska Associate Brand Manager Diane Guerta.

Ang 78 finalists sa National Training Camp ay mga nangunang players sa isinagawang Regional Selection Camps sa Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Metro Manila at Alaska Power Camp, sa pangangasiwa nina Jr. NBA coaches Carlos Barroca and Rob Newson, kasama si Alaska coach at PBA Legend Jeffrey Cariaso.