SEVEN boys and three girls will represent Visayas at the National Training Camp of Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 from May 18 to 20.
Returning for the third time since 2007, the Bacolod edition tipped off the nationwide series of Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camps, hosting over 400 aspiring boys and girls at the Trinity Christian School in a two-day camp in February.
Joining the national camp presented by Alaska are John Lester Amagan, 14, of St. Robert’s International Academy; Nathan Jan Jundana, 14, and Heinzy Gabriel Demisana, 13, of Bacolod Tay Tung High School; and William Agamemnon Allosada, 13, William Archimedez Allosada, 13, William Holan Baxter, 13, and Keane Angelo Yu, 14, of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in the boys’ division.
Dancylle Gabrealene Busime, 12, of Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino-Recoletos; Danielle Gwen Dusaran, 12, of University of Negros Occidental Recoletos; and Gin Kayla Relliquette, 12, of St. Carmen Salles School represent Visayas in the girls division.
The 10 selected athletes trained under Jr. NBA coaches led by Coach Carlos Barroca and Alaska Ace Tony Dela Cruz, with focus on the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp.
“We have kids in Visayas that showed a tremendous amount of potential at a very young age. We hope they will continue to work on their games and look forward to seeing their growth in our future camps within the region,” said Barroca.
Dela Cruz talked to the participants about improving on and off the court.
“Listen with both eyes and ears and pay attention to your parents, teachers and coaches to achieve more. Try your hardest in everything you do and as long as you try, you will always learn and grow.”
The Visayan contingent of Jr. NBA campers will compete with the top players from the remaining Regional Selection Camps in Butuan (February 24 and 25), Baguio (March 17 and 18) and Manila (April 21 and 22) at the National Training Camp. The top eight boys and top eight girls will comprise the 2018 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All-Stars and will be rewarded with an overseas NBA experience.
Former Jr. NBA All-Stars from Bacolod who assisted Jr. NBA coaches at the skills stations during the regional tryouts include Daniel Coo (2015), Harold Alarcon, Fritz Valencia and Florence Jill Talas (2016) and Chinnsai Demana (2017).