Muggsy Bogues leads coaching staff at National Training Camp of Jr. NBA 2013 presented by Alaska

(Image courtesy of NBA Asia)

New batch of Jr. NBA All Stars and Coach of the Year announced April 28

The 2013 Jr. NBA Philippines Program presented by Alaska holds its National Training Camp on April 26 to 28 at the University of the Philippines Gym in Diliman and at the SM Mall of Asia, bringing to a close the 4-month long series of clinics and regional selection camps that identified the most promising young cagers of the land.

NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues, the shortest NBA player ever at 5’3, is in Manila to lead foreign and local Jr. NBA coaches in conducting the 3-day boot camp for players aged 10-14 who topped their respective regional selection camps in Dagupan, Davao, Lucena, Manila and the Alaska Power Camp earlier this month. Bogues will conduct an NBA Cares activity for Virlanie Foundation during the training camp.

40 players were selected from regional selection camps conducted in March and April. They are : Justine Dupo from Calasiao, Pangasinan; Pawan Singh and Mark Adrian Mallari from Angeles, Pampanga; Ren Bistudio and Alfredo Philippe Camara from Dagupan City and Herald Jairo Barbiran from Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan (Dagupan RSC); Paolo Coquilla, Mahloney Tarranza, Cornelio Reta and John Cañete from Davao, Jan Gabriel Sobrevega and Jose Antiporda from Bacolod City, John Lloyd Bernales and Lorenz Viajar from Bukidnon, Anthony Sistoza from General Santos and Earl Vincent Areola from Cagayan de Oro (Davao RSC); Michael Reyes, Michael Enriquez and Carlton Cabral from Lucena and two Tayabas boys, Reymund Capistrano and Miguel Ratuiste (Lucena RSC); Rodney Manuel and Nikolai Azurin from San Juan, Tyler Tio and Gian Mamuyac from Mandaluyong, Miguel Fortuna and Derrick Caalaman from Parañaque, Vince Ferrer, Marco Sario, Luigi Velasco and Kenneth Maneze from Makati, Bryeo Bunyi and Benedict Cruz from Manila, Paolo Rivero from Pasig, Christian Anterola from Las Piñas, Kyle Ong from Quezon City, Juan Paolo Garcia from Valenzuela, Bryan Lina from Antipolo, Maverick Barles from Bulacan and Samuel Abuhijleh from Laguna.

10 more players from The Alaska Power Camp will join the regional finalists in a basketball boot camp that will test their basketball skills, strength, stamina and character through conditioning workouts, transition drills, skills stations and competitive games. These are : Kevin Cruz, Cholo Seneres, Christian Ciruales, Sean Garcia, Ryen Dizon, Gabriel James Pareja, Cholo Deonio, Mark Montell Parks, Antonio Gabriel Peguerra and Jack Robertson Gloria.

Also highlighted in the three-day National Training Camp are the Jr. NBA core values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect (S.T.A.R.), alongside seminars and activities on good nutrition from Alaska, proper hydration from Gatorade, good hygiene from Rexona and reflexive games from Phoenix Petroleum.

A special highlight of this year’s National Training Camp is a special announcement from Alaska and the NBA that will be announced at the Tip-Off by Alaska President & CEO Wilfred Stephen Uytengsu and NBA Asia Senior Vice President and Managing Director Scott Levy.

Another highlight is the first-ever Jr. NBA Alumni All Star Game that will be played at noon on April 28 at the SM-MOA Music Hall. Twenty-two Jr. NBA alumni from 2007 to 2012 bannered by Aljon Mariano of the UST Growling Tigers and Henry Asilum of the UP Fighting Maroons will play on Team Muggsy and Team Jolas. Other participating Jr. NBA alumni are Hubert Cani, Carlo Escalambre, Roald Mayor, Arnie Padilla, Arc Araw-Araw, Patrick Ramirez, Patrick Go, Miguel Competente, Ichie Altamirano and Mio Puno (Team Muggsy); Kobe Paras, Aljun Melecio, Tsaddy Rangel, Dawn Ochea, Rendell Senining, Thristan Laman, Jarrell Lim, Aldrin Fegidero, RK Ilagan and Paul Dagunan (Team Jolas).

The public is invited to watch all days of the NTC, including the All Star Game on the last day. The 2013 Jr. NBA All Stars will be revealed on April 28 after the final scrimmage. The Coach of the Year will also be announced on Sunday.

The ten 2013 Jr. NBA All Stars will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience and the chance to play a counterpart Jr. NBA selection out of the country later in the year and will be accompanied by the Coach of the Year. All stages of the Jr. NBA Program are completely free for player and coach participants.

In addition to Presenting Partner Alaska Powered Milk Drink, Official Partners include the NBA’s official sports drink, Gatorade, Unilever’s flagship brands Rexona and Master as well as new partner Phoenix Petroleum. Returning as Jr. NBA Supporting Partners are KFC and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).

Official Press Release Courtesy of NBA Asia and Larc&Asset PR.