24 NCR Youth Advance to JR. NBA/JR. WNBA Philippines 2016 National Training Camp

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sixteen boys and eight girls stood out over the rest in the Manila Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska at Don Bosco Technical Institute on April 9-10. They will represent the National Capital Region in the National Training Camp on April 22-24.

Fourteen of the 16 Jr. NBA finalists are from Metro Manila while the remaining two players came from Batangas City and Bacolod City respectively. Mark Glenn Gabon, 14, of National University; Luis Gabriel Aguila, 13, of Nazareth School of NU; Johndhel Austria, 13, of Escuela de Sophia; Jearico Nunez, 13, of University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta; Kai Zachary Sotto, 13, Jericho Ross Paglinawan, 14 and Mark Nicole Lucban, 13 of St. Francis of Assisi School; Reich Randell Villegas, 13, of Ateneo de Manila; Prince Junnell de Belen, 13, of San Isidro Catholic School; Pauloh Villarin, 13, of De La Salle Zobel; Patrick Lance Inting, 14, of Our Lady of Pillar Catholic School; Miguel Rey Luis, 13, of Xavier School; Anjelo Raphael Argente, 14, of De La Salle Lipa and Andrei Philip Lechoncito, 13, of St. John’s Institute of Bacolod are headed to the next phase of the program.

Eight girls were selected as Jr. WNBA representatives of Metro Manila composed of the following individuals: Dianne Camille Nolasco, 11, of Miriam College; Lalaine Gonzales, 13, of Escuela de Sophia; Carly Monreal, 13, and Princess Marie Villarin, 10, of De La Salle Zobel; Jonalyn Bongalos of University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta; Lindsey Nacional, 12 of Baptist Bible Seminary Institute, Taytay; Magda Lioui Flores, 13, of Christian Grace School of Cavite and Ma. Cecilia Quilenderino of Dalig National High School of Antipolo.

The fourth and final Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 Regional Selection Camp drew a record number of 1,114 participants—the highest Regional Selection Camp attendance to date since the grassroots program was established in 2007. The camp also attracted young players from the Southern Tagalog and Visayas regions like Jem Joaquin, 14, and Mark Salibio, 12, who are indigenous people of the Ati tribe in Boracay.

The young athletes experienced vitals tests and skills challenges with key participants advancing to Day 2 and competing with peers in scrimmages. Selected by the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA evaluation committee led by Jr. NBA Coach Craig Brown and Alaska Aces Assistant Coach Jeffrey Cariaso, the 24 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA players will move on to the National Training Camp after showing all-around skills and exhibiting the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines National Training Camp, featuring an NBA and WNBA player or legend, will gather all regional picks from Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Manila, and top Alaska Power Camp performers will vie for ten Jr. NBA slots and five Jr. WNBA slots that will make them part of the 2016 batch of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Stars. Culminating the program will be the selection of Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All-Stars who will go on an overseas NBA experience trip with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia later in the year.

“The Jr. NBA Philippines is the league’s longest-running youth basketball participation program outside the United States that continues to positively impact the lives of children, parents, and coaches,” said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. “Together with Alaska, we are committed to providing world-class basketball instruction to further our mission of encouraging an active lifestyle among Filipino youth.”

CloudFone, Gatorade, and Globe Telecom serve as Official Partners of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 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/Jr. WNBA in the Philippines.

For more information, fans can follow Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines. For all things NBA, fans can visit www.nba.com, like the NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/philsnba and follow www.twitter.com/nba_philippines on Twitter.

To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.