NCR, North Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Represented in the 2018 Batch of Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars
Eight boys and eight girls were named as Jr. NBA
Philippines All-Stars from a total of 74 participants during the Jr. NBA Philippines
2018 presented by Alaska National Training Camp to become the eleventh batch of
Jr. NBA All-Stars. Headlined by
Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein and WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl
Swoopes, the National Training Camp was held at the Gatorade Hoops Center on
May 18, at Don Bosco Technical Institute on May 19and SM Mall of Asia Music
Hall on May 20.
The National Training Camp players were the top
performers in Regional Selection Camps in Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Metro Manila
and Alaska Power Camp, which were led byJr. NBA Coaches Carlos Barroca and Rob
Newson, together with Alaska coaches led by PBA Legend Jeffrey Cariaso. Jr. NBA
alumni were in attendance throughout the camp with ThirdyRavena and Ricci
Rivero visiting the Gatorade Hoops Center and Kai Sotto and RhayyanAmsali
highlighting the participants of the Jr. NBA Alumni All-Star Game in SM Mall of
Asia.
The Jr. NBA All-Stars showcased skills on the court and exemplified
the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. Values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive
Attitude, and Respect. Prince Ray Alao,
14, of San Beda University; Ethan Rod Alian, 14, of La Salle Greenhills; John
Lester Amagan, 14, of St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo; Seven
Gagate, 14, of Chiang Kai Shek College; Nathan Jan Jundana, 14, of Bacolod Tay
Tung; Christian JoiMesias, 14, of Jose Maria College of Davao; Kim Aaron
Tamayo, 13, of National University; and RhonKhanielTelles, 13, of St. Anthony
de CarmelliAcademy of Cavitetopped the boys division, while Madelyn Flores, 14,
of Bukidnon National High School; Gin Kayla Huelar, 13, of St. La Salle
University, Bacolod; Aishe Solis, 13, of Corpus Christi School in Cagayan De
Oro; Pauline Angelique Valle, 13, of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive
High School; Christine Nichole Venterez, 12, Baguio City National High School;
MarielleVingno, 14, of Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan Inc.; Amber Esquivel, 14,
and Kyla Marie Mataga, 13, of De La Salle Zobelwere the outstanding performers
in the girls’ division.
Pauline Angelique Valle and Prince Ray Alao were named
this year’s Jr.NBA Most Valuable Players whileMarielleVingno and Ethan Rod
Alian were selected as Alaska Ambassadors.
Hazel Yambot of Baguio and Mark “Tata” Belangel of Bacolodwere chosen
asthe Coaches of the Year. In addition, special awards were handed
out to Kayla Marie Mataga and Javier Louis Jugo as Gatorade Hustle awardees,MerylleCuasay
and Czarlo Salvador as Panasonic Rising Stars, and Aishe Solis and Kim Aaron
Tamayo, Cloudfone Awesome Players of the Game.
“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,” said 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,” shared Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein to
the campers.
An NBA experience trip in Shanghai, China awaits the
All-Stars in October where they will be joined by other Jr. NBA All-Stars from
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in training and friendly
competitions as they catch the NBA China Games 2018 featuring the Philadelphia
76ers and the Dallas Mavericks.
Jr. NBA
Philippines presented by Alaska, the league’s global youth basketball
participation program for boys and girls,
continues to promote proper nutrition and an active lifestyle, serving as an
effective platform in implementing Alaska Milk’s NUTRITION.ACTION.CHAMPION.
program that helps address the issue of overweight and undernourished children
in the country. AXA, Cloudfone, Gatorade,
Globe Telecom and Panasonic serve as Official Partners of the Jr. NBA in the
Philippines, while Spalding is a Supporting Partner. ABS-CBN Sports + Action, Basketball TV and
NBA Premium TV are the Official NBA Broadcasters of the Jr. NBA in the
Philippines.
Fans can
also follow Jr. NBA at www.jrnba.asia/philippines and on Facebook. For
all the latest news and updates on the NBA, visit www.nba.com and follow the league onFacebookand Twitter. To
learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.comand follow PlayPH at
www.playph.com and on Facebook andTwitter.
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