Cebu takes Tatluhan title, earns Manila Masters slot

MEMBERS of Pura- Cebu pose, along with SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, 3rd left, SBP administrative and legal consultants Moying Martelino, 2nd left, and Atty. Edgar Francisco, left, and SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, right, after ruling the SBP-Talk 'N Text U18 Tatluhan National Finals at Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita.

A group of Cebuanos claimed the recently-concluded SBP-Talk 'N Text U18 Tatluhan National Finals at the Robinson's Place Ermita.

Composed of Carlo Cesar Ortega, Jaur Edrel Ignam, Lucky Ecarma and Errol Pastor; Pura of Cebu defeated Olongapo (composed of Allen Fomera, Edler Tirona, Renz San Luis, and Mark Macatlang, who are all from Lyceum-Subic), 21-12 to rule the nationwide tournament.

To gain entry in the finals, Cebu defeated Bacolod, 13-12, while Olongapo defeated Ateneo de Naga, 16-15. Naga then defeated Bacolod, 17-14, to claim third in this tournanent.

In taking home the championship, Cebu gets a slot in the FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters on August 1-2, as one of the three Pinoy teams, with the other two being PBA selections.

In the previous edition of the Manila Masters, Manila West (composed of Terrence Romeo, Aldrech Ramos, Rey Guevarra, and KG Canaleta, with Eric Altamirano and John Flores as head coaches) secured the title over Qatar to gain entry into the finals in Sendai, Japan.

For the 2015 edition, which will be held at Robinson's Place Manila, the top two teams will make it to the finals in Abu Dhabi on October 15 and 16. Joining them will be the outstanding teams from the other stops in the FIBA 3x3 scene for this year: Prague, Beijing, Lausanne, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro.

Pinoys set for FIBA U18 3x3

The 2015 FIBA Under-18 3x3 World Championships will kick off tomorrow in Debrecen, Hungary; with the Philippines seeking to make an impact in the global scene in this novel version of the sport of basketball.

The Pinoy quartet of Kobe Paras (LA Cathedral HS), Mike Nieto (Ateneo de Manila University), Ricci Rivero (La Salle-Greenhills), and Richard Escoto (Far Eastern University) are seeded into Group A, alongside hosts Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland, and Uruguay. Accompanying the players are LSGH head coach John Flores and Philippine basketball legend Benjie Paras, with SBP legal consultant Atty. Edgar Francisco set to join them later on. Francisco will be attending the FIBA 3x3 World Congress that will be held at Kossuth Square.

Their pool schedule is as follows (Manila time):

June 4 vs Poland 10:50pm
June 5 vs Hungary 1:20am
June 5 vs Kazakhstan 11:10pm
June 6 vs Russia 1:40am
June 6 vs Uruguay 8:10pm

Here are the other groups:

Pool B: Andorra, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Lithuania, Romania
Pool C: Brazil, Estonia, France, New Zealand, Turkey, Vietnam
Pool D: Argentina, Georgia, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Spain, United States

There is also a women's version ongoing.

Pool A: Hungary, Spain, Israel, Venezuela, Germany, Slovakia
Pool B: Poland, China, New Zealand, France, Estonia, Guam
Pool C: United States, Italy, Egypt, Switzerland, Romania, Andorra
Pool D: Netherlands, Brazil, Belgium, Czech Republic, Turkey, Indonesia

Side events include a shootout (Qualifiers: June 6 2:10am; Final: June 8, 1:10am), a women's skills competition (Qualifiers: June 5, 11:40pm; Knockout Rounds: June 6, 9pm), and a slam dunk contest (Qualifiers: June 6, 11pm; Semifinal and Final: June 8, 2:10am). Many people remember Kobe's efforts in the previous edition.



Escoto and Nieto will represent the country in the shootout category.

***

In local 3x3-related news, qualifiers for the SBP-Talk 'N Text U18 Tatluhan National Championships are ongoing in 16 municipalities, with the capper to be held at Robinson's Place Ermita on June 21. The champion earns a slot in the 3-team Filipino delegation for the Asia-Pacific FIBA 3x3 World Masters set to take place at the same venue this coming August, joining two PBA selections.

The Philippines seeks to recreate the magic made by the Manila West team of Terrence Romeo, Rey Guevarra, KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos, who topped the Manila leg and made it to the FIBA 3x3 World Masters in Japan.

The SBP sees the continued participation of the country in the 3x3 championships as a "high point" for its centerpiece grassroots development program. It already has yielded immediate success, and it is to culminate in the hosting of the World Tour Finals in 2017.

IPTL set to return to Manila later this year

From L-R: Chris Quimpo (SMART Sports Marketing), Gary Dujali (PLDT VP and HOME Marketing head)
Edgar Tejerero (SM Lifestyle Entertainment President), Abishek Ponia (IPTL VP for Operations)
Jean Henri Lhullier, Kevin Belmonte, and Haresh Hiranand (Philippine Mavericks co-owners)

The Mavericks are seeking to be better in the second iteration of the International Premier Tennis League.

Known last year as the Manila Mavericks, they rebranded themselves as the Philippine Mavericks to be consistent with the other teams (UAE Royals, Singapore Slammers, Indian Aces, and the newly-established Japan Warriors) who are national in scope, according to tennis patron Jean Henri Lhullier.

Lhullier co-owns the team, alongside Kevin Belmonte, Haresh Hiranand, and SM's Hans Sy.

The squad will have some changes from last year's edition, with just three holdovers in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mark Philippousis, and Treat Huey. Leading the cast of newcomers are women's world number 1 Serena Williams, Richard Gasquet, Sabine Lisicki, Jarmila Gajdosova and Borna Coric.

The Mall of Asia Arena served as the host for the inaugural leg of the first IPTL season last year, with the venue virtually sold out for all three days in late November.

Fans were intrigued with the league's novel concepts not seen in conventional tournaments, as well as the presence of well-known tennis stars and legends.

The same venue will host the 2015 edition. This time, it would cap off the season, serving as the final leg on December 6-8 after it kicks off in September. Tickets for the Manila leg will be available starting July 15.

PLDT HOME Fibr will once again serve as a presenter for the IPTL Manila leg, alongside sister company SMART Communications, in a move the highlights the desire to bring only the best (in this case, world class sporting events and entertainment) for Filipinos.

PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Head Gary Dujali expressed pride, noting that "Last year was a great experience for everybody, seeing the best tennis athletes in the world in one venue playing right before your eyes is indeed a spectacle."

Year 2 for the Ambassadors Cup slated for Saturday

On Saturday, May 16, the campus of the University of Asia and the Pacific in Pasig will host the Ambassadors Cup, the only grassroots indoor futsal tournament in the country.

UA&P, in collaboration with The Henry V. Moran Foundation and UFL side Team Socceroo, established the Ambassadors Cup as a means to foster values formation and belief towards children, with the sport of football being the means to espouse.

This year's edition is sponsored by ABS-CBN Sports+Action, The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, and Bootcamp.

As noted by its name, 12 embassies (Chile, Argentina, Timor Leste, Spain, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Germany, Canada, Mexico, United States, South Africa, and ANZ Pilipinas) will lend their names (and bragging rights) to a particular charitable institution (San Ildefonso Paris, GK Tatalon, GK Pinagsama, GK Barangka, GK Sampaloc II, Western Bicutan Football Club, GK Concepcion, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Birhen ng Lujan Parish, Fundacion Santiago, and Dream Big Pilipinas).

San Ildefonso and GK Tatalon are the first-ever Ambassadors Cup champions and both are raring to defend their titles in this tournament composed of 11-13 y/o futsal players.

The one-day tournament in UA&P will begin as early as 7:30 am, with matches to take place simultaneously at its Multipurpose Court, as well as the Olympic-size futsal pitch at its Parking and Sports Building. Championship matches are set to take place at 3:00 pm. UA&P President Dr. Jose Maria Mariano and UA&P co-founder (and football enthusiast) Dr. Bernardo Villegas will lead the awarding ceremonies for the winners.

2nd Ambassadors Cup coming this month

The Ambassadors Cup is a grassroots outreach project aimed at fostering in children from underprivileged communities a love for virtues and values through futsal (indoor football) training and competition. It is organized by the University of Asia and the Pacific, Team Socceroo Football Club, and The Henry V. Moran Foundation.

Alpha Keepers Academy set to kick off May summer camp

Alpha Keepers Academy

Kaya FC and Philippines U-23 national team goalkeeper Nick O'Donnell has plans of sharing his passion and talent to those who aspire to be the next great netminder.

The Season 75 Most Valuable Player established the Alpha Keepers Academy, aimed to develop and hone the skills of aspiring goalkeepers.

The first AKA camp will be a summer camp from May 4-15 at the football grounds of the Ateneo de Manila University. There are two sets of programs, a Junior level (8-12 y/o) and an Elite level (13+ y/o).

Details on AKA and on the camp can be read below. Interested parties can contact this number (0917-525-7630) or email alphakeepersacademy@yahoo.com.

Jr. NBA Alumni Game to form part of the National Training Camp this weekend

One of the highlights for the upcoming Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA National Training Camp this weekend is an alumni game composed of graduates from the Jr. NBA program.

Slated to take place on April 26, the alumni game features ballers who have cut their teeth in the top-tier basketball competitions locally and even internationally.

Among those in the game include La Salle's Kib Montalbo, Ateneo's Hubert Cani, recent SLAM Rising Stars participants Enzo Navarro, Ricci Rivero, Tyler Tio and Aljun Jay Melecio, as well as current NU Bullpup and recent U-16 standout Rhayyan Amsali.

Other alums who will take part are Patrick Ramirez (San Sebastian), Ichie Altamirano (Letran), Thristan Laman (UST), Justin Serrano (Mapua), Regille Kent Ilagan (NU), Henry Asilum, Jarrell Lim and Janjan Jaboneta (UP), Miguel Competente and Mahloney Tarranza (Ateneo de Davao), as well as Carlo Escalambre (San Sebastian?).

Current high school standouts taking part in the alumni game include Vince Ferrer, Vince Dolendo and Jan Cyril Narvasa (UST), Marvin Sario (La Salle-Zobel), Luigi Velasco (La Salle-Greenhills), and Paul Manalang (NU).

Sixers rookie Nerlens Noel and WNBA legend Ruth Riley will serve as the coaches for the Jr. NBA All-Stars Alumni Game.

Slated to attend are Arielle Lanot (La Salle-Zobel), as well as Kreecie Binaohan and Roxanne Salvador (Perpetual Help - System Dalta), who are the first alumnae of the Jr. WNBA program.

The match serves as an appetizer for the announcement of the 2015 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All-Stars slated to take place in the afternoon. From over 80,000 students, parents, and coaches, ten boys and five girls will be named as the All-Stars for this year.

Details on the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA program can be seen here, or on their Facebook page.

Filoil Flying V Premier Cup set to kick off basketball preseason

The premier preseason tournament for college basketball is set to begin this weekend, with the start of the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup.

18 schools are slated to participate, divided into two groups:

Group A: Adamson, EAC, FEU, JRU, Letran, NU, Perpetual, CSB, USJ-R
Group B: CEU, La Salle, Mapua, Lyceum, San Beda, UE, UP, UST, SWU

Both groups will have a single round-robin, with the top 4 teams advancing into the crossover quarterfinals. (in case of ties, quotient is to be used to break ties)


In the Juniors, ten schools are slated to participate:

Group A: Ateneo, La Salle-Zobel, JRU, Letran, San Beda
Group B: Adamson, FEU-FERN, La Salle-Greenhills, Malayan, NU

Much like their elder counterparts, a single round-robin will be held, but the top two teams advancing into the crossover semifinals.

Apr 25 (Saturday) - Opening Day
12nn Ateneo vs San Beda (Jrs. A)
2pm UE vs UST (Srs. B)
4pm La Salle vs San Beda (Srs. B)
6pm JRU vs FEU (Srs. A)

Apr 27 (Monday)
10am NU vs Malayan (Jrs. B)
1145am Lyceum vs CEU (Srs. B)
130pm Letran vs USJ-R (Srs. A)
315pm JRU vs CSB (Srs. A)
5pm Mapua vs UP (Srs. B)

Apr 29 (Wednesday)
1145am Letran vs JRU (Jrs. A)
130pm USJ-R vs JRU (Srs. A)
315pm Perpetual vs Letran (Srs. A)
5pm UST vs Mapua (Srs. B)

May 1 (Friday)
1145am Adamson vs NU (Jrs. B)
130pm EAC vs USJ-R (Srs. A)
315pm CEU vs UP (Srs. B)
5PM UE vs Lyceum (Srs. B)
                   
May 2 (Saturday)
1145am La Salle-Greenhills vs NU (Jrs. B)
130pm USJ-R vs Perpetual (Srs. A)
315pm CSB vs EAC (Srs. A)
5pm San Beda vs UST (Srs. B)
                   
May 6 (Wednesday)
10am FEU-FERN vs La Salle-Greenhills (Jrs. B)
1145am CSB vs USJ-R (Srs. A)
130pm UE vs Mapua (Srs. B)
315pm Letran vs FEU    Srs. A
5pm Lyceum vs La Salle (Srs. B)
                   
May 8 (Friday)
1145am FEU-FERN vs Adamson (Jrs. B)
130pm Perpetual vs EAC (Srs. A)
315pm USJ-R vs NU (Srs. A)
5pm CEU vs Mapua (Srs.B)

May 9 (Saturday)
1145am La Salle-Zobel vs Letran (Jrs. A)
130pm FEU vs USJ-R (Srs. A)
315pm Lyceum vs San Beda (Srs. B)
5pm UP vs La Salle (Srs. B)

May 13 (Wednesday)
10am Adamson vs Malayan (Jrs. B)
1145am USJ-R vs Adamson (Srs. A)
130pm EAC vs Letran (Srs. A)
315pm UE vs CEU (Srs. B)
5pm CSB vs NU (Srs. A)

May 15 (Friday)
10am JRU vs Ateneo (Jrs. A)
1145am Lyceum vs UP (Srs. B)
130pm EAC vs NU (Srs. A)
315pm JRU vs Letran (Srs. A)
5pm CEU vs San Beda (Srs. B)

May 16 (Saturday)
1145am San Beda vs La Salle-Zobel (Jrs. A)
130pm Adamson vs Perpetual (Srs. A)
315pm NU vs FEU (Srs. A)
5pm La Salle vs UE (Srs. B)

May 20 (Wednesday)
10am NU vs FEU-FERN (Jrs. B)
1145am CSB vs FEU (Srs. A)
130pm Adamson vs Letran (Srs. A)
315pm UP vs UST (Srs. B)
5pm NU vs JRU (Srs. A)
                   
May 22 (Friday)
10am La Salle-Zobel vs JRU (Jrs. A)
1145am EAC vs JRU (Srs. A)
130pm Mapua vs SWU (Srs. B)
315pm San Beda vs UP (Srs. B)
5pm NU vs Adamson (Srs. A)

May 23 (Saturday)
1145am Letran vs San Beda (Jrs. A)
130pm Perpetual vs FEU (Srs. A)
315pm UST vs CEU (Srs. B)
5pm SWU vs La Salle (Srs. B)

May 27 (Wednesday)
10am La Salle-Greenhills vs Adamson (Jrs. B)
1145am Lyceum vs UST (Srs. B)
130pm UP vs SWU (Srs. B)
315pm CSB vs Adamson (Srs. A)
5pm Mapua vs La Salle (Srs. B)

May 29 (Friday)
10am FEU-FERN vs Malayan (Jrs. B)
1145am Adamson vs EAC (Srs. A)
130pm Mapua vs Lyceum (Srs. B)
315pm Letran vs CSB (Srs. A)
5pm SWU vs UE (Srs. B)

May 30 (Saturday)
10am Ateneo vs Letran (Jrs. A)
1145am Perpetual vs JRU (Srs. A)
130pm FEU vs Adamson (Srs. A)
315pm San Beda vs SWU (Srs. B)
5pm CEU vs La Salle (Srs. B)

Jun 03 (Wednesday)
10am CSB vs Perpetual (Srs. A)
1145am UE vs UP (Srs. A)
130pm SWU vs UST (Srs. B)
315pm NU vs Letran (Srs. A)
5pm Mapua vs San Beda (Srs. B)

Jun 05 (Friday)
10am San Beda vs JRU (Jrs. A)
1145am Lyceum vs SWU (Srs. B)
130pm EAC vs FEU (Srs. A)
315pm JRU vs Adamson (Srs. B)
5pm Malayan vs La Salle-Greenhills (Jrs. B)

Jun 06 (Saturday)
10am La Salle-Zobel vs Ateneo (Jrs. A)
1145am Perpetual vs NU (Srs. A)
130pm SWU vs CEU (Srs. B)
315pm UE vs San Beda (Srs. B)
5pm UST vs La Salle (Srs. B)

June 10 (Wednesday)
10am A1 vs B4 (Srs QF1)
12nn A2 vs B3 (Srs QF2)
2pm A3 vs B2 (Srs QF3)
4pm A4 vs B1 (Srs QF4)

June 12 (Friday)
10am A1 vs B2 (Jrs SF1)
12nn B1 vs A2 (Jrs SF2)
2pm Winner QF1 vs Winner QF3 (Srs SF1)
4pm Winner QF2 vs Winner QF4 (Srs SF2)

June 14 (Sunday)
10am Battle for 3rd Juniors Division
12nn Juniors Division Finals           
2pm Seniors Battle for 3rd           
4pm Seniors Division Finals

Latest on the Ambassadors' Cup

Preparations for the 2nd edition of the Ambassadors' Cup are already up and running.

The one-day futsal competition will take place on May 16 at the UA&P grounds, with 11 teams representing a different embassy (after all, the name of the tournament is linked with an Ambassador).

Part of the preparations include educating the coaches of the underprivileged communities that the embassies are associating themselves with. That is why last Saturday, April 11, UFL Div I side Team Socceroo helped teach the nuances of the sport to these coaches, as seen in this photo below.

 (L-R) Team Soccerroo Football Club’s (TSFC) Michael Reyes, Paulus Reyes, Coach Franklin Cacacho, Coach Edmond Mercado, and Nicholas Reyes together with University of Asia and the Pacific’s (UA&P) Rene Ledesma

Nerlens Noel and Ruth Riley in Manila for Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA National Training Camp

The Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA National Training Camp is set to take place next week, and to help commemorate the event, the NBA will have a couple of big men coming in.

Sixers center Nerlens Noel and the recently-retired WNBA legend Ruth Riley will be visiting the Philippines to help coach the top 50 boys and top 24 girls in the National Training Camp, the best players from all the different regional camps held all over the country in the past couple of months.

Noel is fresh from finishing his rookie season with the Sixers, averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.9 blocks. The Kentucky alum is excited to have his first NBA overseas trip be the Philippines, acknowledging the country's passion for the sport. He hopes that his presence would be an added motivation for the camp participants.
 Riley was the 5th overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft, playing 13 seasons before retiring last year. She had career averages of 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 blocks, winning two titles with the Detroit Shock in 2003 and 2006.

She says, "It’s great to know how much enthusiasm there is for basketball among girls in the Philippines. I look forward to the experience and to inspiring even more young girls to pick up the game I love so much.”

Noel and Riley join the likes of BJ Armstrong, A.C. Green, Luc Longley, Muggsy Bogues, Gordon Hayward, and Tina Thompson as recent Manila visitors for the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA program. They will be tasked to help Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA head coach Chris Sumner in coaching the participants. In addition, they will serve as head coaches for the annual Jr. NBA alumni game, as well as conduct a basketball clinic in conjunction with NBA Cares and World Vision.

The camp serves as the culminating activity for the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA program this year in the Philippines. The program is the league's foray towards grassroots development in basketball and in promoting an active lifestyle for children, specifically those between 10-14 years old. Not only are they trained to learn the sport's fundamentals, but also to appreciate the core STAR values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect).

The NTC will take place at the PICC Forum on April 24 and 25, and then move to the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on April 26. It is from here that fifteen outstanding kids (ten boys and five girls) will be named as Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA All-Stars. These All-Stars will join their ASEAN counterparts in having an overseas NBA experience they will surely remember.

They are also going to name the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year by the end of the camp, who will join the All-Stars on that overseas experience.

The Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Program is presented by Alaska. Official Partners are Gatorade, Globe Telecom, and Phoenix Petroleum, with KFC and Spalding as Supporting Partners. Serving as the official broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV, and ABS-CBN Sports+Action. It also has the support of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).

For more details on the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Program, just check out this link, or head to their Facebook page.

THE G.O.A.T. set to launch today on FOX Sports

The GOAT and its hosts: KC, Nikko, Suzy, KC

FOX Sports Philippines will be unveiling a new local magazine show tonight to celebrate the Pinoy's devotion to basketball, called The G.O.A.T.

Armed with the desire to be the "most engaging local sports program on cable," The G.O.A.T will feature opinionated discussions on the relevant sports topics out there (of course, high emphasis on basketball-related ones), while at the same time, delivering them in an irreverent and entertaining way that caters to both casual and hardcore fans. With Filipinos among the most active people in social media, fans and viewers can join in on the discussion (#TheGOATonFS), when the show airs on Thursdays, 9pm on FOX Sports.

To facilitate the discussion, FOX Sports has tapped four of the most loquacious media personalities: Nikko Ramos, Tin Gamboa (better known to many as Suzy), Mo Twister, and KC Montero.

There will be taped segments, interviews with local and international personalities, animated discussions on your favorite sporting event/s, and even a "Goatie of the Week."

With the combination of its engaging hosts and interesting topics, The G.O.A.T seeks to be the newest part of the sporting viewing habit.

Amihan Pilipinas set to go on a nationwide tour with PLDT Home Ultera

The Amihan Pilipinas volleyball superstars (L-R): Lizlee Ann Pantone, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Nerissa Bautista, Honey Rose Tubino, Christina Salak, Dindin Santiago, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jaja Santiago, Mary Jean Balse, Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Kim Fajardo and Jen Reyes. Not in photo: Ara Galang, Rhea Dimaculangan and Maika Ortiz.

The all-star Amihan Pilipinas women's volleyball team will be touring around the country this summer season to help promote the sport in the grassroots level.

In coordination with PLDT Home Ultera, the Philippine Volleyball Federation, and the different local government units, Amihan is set to visit ten cities to assist in unearthing volleyball talents via clinics and exhibition matches, while helping the PLDT Home Ultera Install Patrol bring LTE broadband accessibility to each location.

PLDT Home's marketing head Gary Dujali believes that having this Install Patrol tour with the Amihan squad will help "bring the sport to a whole new level." He adds that "fans get to be mentored by the country's top volleyball coaches and play against their favorite Amihan Pilipinas superstars."

Amihan is composed of "the cream of the crop in women's volleyball" in Mika Reyes, Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, the Santiago sisters (Dindin and Jaja), Ara Galang, Nerissa Bautista, Mary Jean Balse, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Jen Reyes, Tina Salak, Honey Royse Tubino, Rhea Dimaculangan, Maika Ortiz, and Lizlee Ann Gata-Pantone. Joining these players are the following coaches: Ramil de Jesus, Ariel dela Cruz, and Rico de Guzman.

Amihan already made their way to General Trias and Dasmarinas in Cavite, as well as Iloilo, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, and Lipa, Batangas, while they are to come to Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Pampanga this month.

Details on the PLDT Home Ultera-Amihan tour can be seen on www.pldthome.com.

Seventeen chosen from Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Manila Regional Selection Camp

Manila Regional Selection camp scrimmage action

The final Regional Selection Camp for both the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA program concluded this past weekend, with seventeen kids picked out to participate in the upcoming National Training Camp next weekend.

Eleven boys and six girls were luckily chosen out of the 519 participants, with the selections being conducted by the evaluation committee, led Chris Sumner and assisted by the likes of Rodney Santos, Eric dela Cuesta, and Christian Luanzon, as well as Melissa Jacob and Ish Tiu.

Santos says that the committee was impressed by this group, particularly with their confidence in spite of their young age. He believes that they will compete well in the National Training Camp.

The kids underwent testing, drills, and exercises in Day 1, with the top forty performers returning in Day 2 to undergo more intense tests and drills, followed by scrimmages. It is from these, plus how they reflected the program's STAR core values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect) from which the seventeen were named.

The eleven boys are Stacey Tibayan (Letran), Ruzzelle Andrew Dominguez and Brevin Lyle Competente (National University), Edrian Custodio, Jac Macasaet, and Gab Reyes (La Salle-Zobel), Kai Sotto and Christian Allen Vergara (St. Francis of Assisi College), Vehnjo Maximo (La Salle Greenhills), Jessie Adrian Ortega (Escuela de Sophia), and Ernest John Felicida (Corpus Christi College - Cagayan de Oro).

The six girls are Stephanie Villapando (Trace College), Akemi Manteja and Christine Jazz Ungui (La Salle-Zobel), Nelia Jean David and Micaela Denise Pentecostes (Diliman Preparatory School) and Kyla Flores (Parañaque Science High School)

Felicida was just in Manila for vacation when he tried out and then made it to the selection. Vergara is the first 10-year old to make it to the NTC, and in preparing for the camp, he says, “I will just practice more, drink lots of water and sleep early.”

The National Training Camp finalists of the Manila Regional Selection Camp. (L-R, FRONT): Nelia Jean David, Mikaela Denise Pentecostes, Kyla Flores, Stephanie Villapando, Akemi Marteja, Christine Jazz Unqui; (BACK) Stacey Tibayan, Ernest John Felicida, Ruzzelle Andrew Dominguez, Jac Macasaet, Kai Sotto, Jesse Adrian Ortega, Edrian Custodio, Brevin Lyle Competente, Gab Reyes, Vehnjo Maximo, Christian Allen Vergara and Coach Chris Sumner

Only the selection from the Alaska Power Camp is left, as they complete the NTC participants for the April 24-26 camp at the PICC Forum and the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. It is from this camp where the ten outstanding boys and five outstanding girls will be named as the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA All-Stars. The All-Stars will then join their fellow ASEAN counterparts, as they partake of an overseas NBA experience. It is also from the NTC that a Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year will be named.

Final Regional Camp for 2015 Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Program set

The final Regional Selection Camp is slated to take place this weekend at the PICC Forum, with the chance to be in the National Training Camp at stake.

On April 11, participants will undergo vitals tests, basketball drills, and skills challenges. Those who excel in those three will proceed to Day 2 of the camp on April 12, where they will have to go through some more focused drills emphasizing their basketball skills, aptitude, and endurance, as well as some scrimmages. They also have to embody the core Jr. NBA values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect).

The Regional Camp will be overseen by Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA coach Chris Sumner, with the likes of Jeffrey Cariaso, Topex Robinson and Rodney Santos, as well as Ish Tiu, Melissa Jacob, and Lhen Flormata assisting. It is they who will make the decision of who will make the National Training Camp, which is slated to take place on April 24-26. Fifty boys and twenty-four girls will comprise the NTC, which will come from the Regional Camps and from the Alaska Power Camp.

By the end of the NTC, ten outstanding Jr. NBA and five outstanding Jr. WNBA participants will be named as All-Stars, and will be embarking on a unique overseas NBA experience alongside their ASEAN counterparts. The list of All-Star alums include Aljon Mariano (UST), Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Hubert Cani (Ateneo), Kib Montalbo, Lorenzo Navarro (La Salle), Henry Asilum, Jarrell Lim, Janjan Jaboneta (UP), Dawn Ochea (Adamson), Rendell Senining (NU), and Arnie Padilla (FEU).

Five picked from Davao Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA camp

The Mindanao portion of the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Regional Selection camp concluded this past weekend at the University of the Immaculate Conception in Davao City, with five kids picked to be a part of the National Training Camp next month.

Three boys and two girls topped the field of over 250 participants, excelling in the tests, drills, and exercises in Day 1, followed by more intense drills and exercises plus a team scrimmage in Day 2. In addition to their on-court abilities, the five also were selected on how they exemplified the core STAR values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect) that is a hallmark of the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Program.

For the boys, Paolo Emanuel Antonio (Stella Maris Academy - Davao), Christopher Gonzaga (University of the Immaculate Conception - Davao), and Jeffy Malilim (Corpus Christi School - Cagayan de Oro) were picked for the Jr. NBA program, while Rozie Amatong (Modern International Learning Center - Davao) and Rhea Ville Bausin (Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School - Davao) were named for the Jr. WNBA program.

Rozie in particular, impressed the crowd with heroics, as the 11-year old nailed a buzzer-beater to win a scrimmage for her team. She says, "Basketball is a beautiful game. I especially love the challenge that comes with this sport."

An evaluation committee composed of Jr. NBA & Jr. WNBA coaches made the selections, including the likes of Rodney Santos, Eric dela Cuesta, Christian Luanzon, Ish Tiu and Melissa Jacob. Tiu revealed that while the boys showed exemplary STAR values, the girls were "a package of skill, talent, passion, and perseverance." She feels that the five picked "will compete well in Manila."

The final Regional Selection Camp heads to the PICC Forum on April 11 and 12 for the Manila leg. After this, it will be the National Training Camp on April 25-26. It is from there that the ten Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA All-Stars, as well as the Coach of the Year will be named.

Under Armour and the Philippines

Under Armour

When everything seems to be all about either a swoosh or three stripes, a new element in the sporting apparel recently made their headway into the Philippines.

That, is Kevin Plank's pride and joy, Under Armour.

Here is Under Armour's Chief Marketing Officer for SE Asia, Adrian Chai's nuggets of wisdom with regards to brand's presence in the country:

Re: Filipino response towards UA?

The response so far has been tremendous, especially with the rise of the brand in the USA. In particular, the basketball, compression attire and running range has gained quite significant traction with the built-in technologies like the new "Charged Cushioning."

What has been interesting is that the women's range has taken traction quite well, with many athletes and personalities trying the products out and taking advantage of the technologies built-in with each.

Re: UA's Brand Ambassadors not named Stephen Curry, as well as local counterparts?

There are already quite a number of athletes that UA has recently signed up, from Andy Murray to Michael Phelps. We have also non-sporting athletes that exemplify the "Will to Succeed and Overcome," such as ballerina Misty Copeland and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

(To add: Bryce Harper, Lindsey Vonn, Hunter Mahan, Jordan Spieth, Julio Jones, Miles Austin, Matt Wieters, Brandon Jennings, Saul "El Canelo" Alvarez)
(To add: Tottenham, QPR, Toronto Maple Leafs)

Looking toward the Philippines, we have also local athletes, such as Gretchen Ho and Johan Aguilar. Apart from them, there are also very known personalities like Piolo Pasqual and Senator Pia Cayetano, who happens to be avid fans and athletes who actively compete and train.

(To add: Robi Domingo, Natasha Alquiros, Mia Cabalfin)

Re: UA and the National Basketball Training Center

We were working through Eric Altamirano (NBTC head) on some programs, which may include involving up-and-coming basketball stars. Looking at the rise of basketball and the love for the game in the Philippines, it was a great opportunity for us to show our support for them just like the way it is done in the USA with the Elite 24 program.

Re: the next step/s of UA in the Philippine sporting scene?

We are constantly looking to find synergies with different sports to work with the brand. It is also important, however, that we do not digress from the core competency of our apparel that involves training and our key sporting categories. We will embark on some exciting programs in basketball, as well as involving locals in our latest Earn Your Armour challenge, where Filipinos across the country can join up and as a community to engage and train using Under Armour's recently acquired fitness tracking app Endomondo. We will then tie this in with local on-ground activations called Armour@The Fort, where fans of the brand and others can join in and train up with our partner gyms and trainers.

There are already a couple of UA stores in the Philippines, one at the Bonifacio High Street, the other inside SM Megamall.

14 selected in Bacolod Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA camp

The Bacolod Regional Selection Camp yielded the most successful camp for the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA program, with fourteen kids being called up for the National Training Camp next month.

370 kids aged 10-14 y/o from the Visayas made their way to the St. John's Institute this past weekend to undergo test, drills, and challenges posed by the different coaches who made the trip to the City of Smiles. After the first day, forty were invited to return the next day to continue with the tests and exercises, as well as scrimmages at the end of Day 2. It is from these, as well as those who best exemplify the STAR values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect) that the selection committee picked the ten boys and four girls to make the trek to Manila in April.

The four girls selected for the Jr. WNBA National Training Camp are Karla Sheen Cotejo (Bacolod City College), Dyna Sicil Nieves (University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos), Luisa Martina de la Paz (University of St. La Salle), and Rodnie Mae Hodilena (Luis Hervias National High School). All of them are Bacolodnon.

On the boys' side, four kids from host school St. John's Institute made it to the final, (Andrei Lechoncito, Daniel Coo, Nicholas Steven Pura, and Kurt Coloso) while five came from Tay Tung High School (Ralph Allen Cagalawan, K Christian Perigua, Kent Dentin Esperagazo, John Dexter Gigantana, and Andy John Villamer).

Also making the trip to Manila is Calbayog City native Kurt Jan Aparri of Christ the King College, needing two boat rides and a long road trip to be able to make it to Bacolod. He shares that he learned a lot from this camp that he can take with him anywhere he will go in his basketball career.

Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA head coach Chris Sumner led the delegation that had overseen the Regional Camp, which included NBA Asia Director for Basketball Operations Craig Brown and Alaska coaches Rodney Santos, Junjun Alas, and Eric dela Cuesta. In addition, Ish Tiu, Vangie Soriano, and Lhen Flormata from the senior women's national team also helped with the camp. Sumner was impressed with the Bacolod turnout, noting the camp's competitive nature forcing the difficult decision of picking the final selection.

Two more Regional Camps are scheduled to take place, with one in Davao at the University of Immaculate Concepcion on March 28-29 and the one in Manila at the PICC Forum on April 11 and 12. Those who are interested can check out www.jrnba.asia/philippines for more details.

Seven selected from the Baguio Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA camp

Jump ball from one of the scrimmages in the
Baguio Regional Selection camp.

The Northern Luzon portion of the Regional Selection Camp for the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA program concluded this past weekend at the St. Louis University Laboratory High School, with seven lucky youngsters getting the nod.

Four boys and three girls impressed the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA coaches (led by Rodney Santos, Junjun Alas, Christian Luanzon, Ish Tiu, Melissa Jacob, and Lhen Flormata) enough to pick them out of the almost three hundred participants and deem them "worthy of inclusion" for the National Training Camp set to take place in April at the PICC Forum. Santos though that this year's participants were in his words, "very impressive." He believes that "they will perform very well" at the NTC next month.

Jan Zyrus De Ayre (Berkley School - Baguio), Magnus Gabriel Ines (St. Louis University Laboratory High School), Christian Allen Magno (St. Albert the Great School - Dagupan), and Manuel Andrey Ober (Dagupan City National High School) represented the boys, while Christine Angela Venterez (Baguio National High School), Christine Cayabyab (Judge Jose de Venecia Sr. Memorial National High School - Dagupan), and Rose Marie de los Santos (St. Albert the Great School - Dagupan) represented the girls. Cayabyab, in fact, made it to last year's NTC, and hopes to impress again in her return.

The seven Northern Luzon kids that will participate in the National Training Camp of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 presented by Alaska. (L-R) Magnus Gabriel Ines (Baguio), Manuel Andrey Ober (Dagupan), Christian Allen Magno (Dagupan), Jan Zyrus De Ayre (Baguio), Christine Angela Venetrez (Baguio), Kristine Cayabyab (Dagupan) and Rose Marie De Los Santos (Dagupan).

These seven kids survived the rigors of the two-day camp, with the first day devoted to skills, tests, and drills to determine the top forty players out of the 295 in the field. Those forty then were subjected to more intense drills, exercises, and scrimmages to help determine the best in their field. Of course, those picked have to exemplify the Program's core values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (a positive) Attitude, and Respect.

A couple more regional camps are slated to take place, with Bacolod's St. John Institute hosting one on March 21-22, followed by Davao's University of the Immaculate Conception on March 28-29. The PICC Forum will hold the final Regional Camp on April 11-12 before the NTC takes place.

Interested parties can check out www.jrnba.asia/philippines or www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines for more details.

Six selected in Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA camp in Iloilo

Jr. NBA hopefuls battling during the Iloilo camp.

The first Visayan Regional Training Camp for the 2015 Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA program concluded this past weekend in Iloilo City, with another six kids out of the three hundred participants at the Ateneo de Iloilo picked to be in the National Training Camp next month.

The four boys selected are Vince Andrew Jayme (Huasiong College - Iloilo), Ian Dominic Espinosa (Ateneo de Iloilo), and Jann Paolo Villariza and Lucky Charm Ramos (Sun Yat Sen High School). The two girls are Jenedith Ruth Valle (Barrio Obrero National High School) and Shan Sumagaysay (Colegio Sagrado Corazon de Jesus - Iloilo).

Similar to the previous Regional Camps, Day 1 saw the almost 300 children undergo tests, drills and challenges, from which the top forty were asked to return the next day to undergo additional drills and participate in scrimmages and exercises. From these, as well as how the participants exemplified the core Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA values (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect) the coaches, led by Chris Sumner and assisted by the likes of San Sebastian legends Topex Robinson and Rodney Santos, made the decision to select these six finalists.

The finalists of the Iloilo Regional Selection Camp of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska : L-R: Shan Sumagaysay, Lucky Charm Ramos, Jann Paolo Villariza, Vince Andrew Jayme, Ian Dominic Espinosa and Jenedith Ruth Valle.

One of the coaches, women's national team stalwart Ish Tiu, said, "that the players have the skill and talent, and yet they have a yearning to learn more and to excel even further." That "spirit of competitiveness," she adds, is what will "put them on good footing" come the National Training Camp at the PICC Forum in seven weeks' time.

The program will head up north to St. Louis University in Baguio City this weekend for the next Regional Selection Camp. After that, three more camps are scheduled to take place, at St. John Institute (Bacolod) on March 14-15, University of the Immaculate Conception (Davao) on March 28-29, and the PICC Forum (Manila) on April 11-12.

Those interested to participate can check the details on www.jrnba.asia/philippines.

FEU attempts to complete UAAP treble today

The quest to replicate their UAAP treble is on the minds of Far Eastern University as they go on the field for the finals in men's and women's football today at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kicking things off will be the women's final between the Lady Tamaraws and the University of the Philippines.

Both teams ended up level on points at the end of the eliminations, but the Lady Maroons ended on top of the standings with a superior goal difference, thanks to the efforts up front by national team standout Cristina delos Reyes and youth standouts Mary Rose Obra and Kali Navea-Huff.

Under the leadership of Anto Gonzales, UP is seeking its first-ever UAAP crown, while FEU under Let Dimzon is looking to annex its third straight title, fourth in the last five years, and tenth overall.

Season 75 MVP Barbie Sobredo will lead the defending champions, who also have veterans like Alesa Dolino and Amita sisters (Analou and Jenelyn) to counter against that offense.

After the women's final, the men take to the field, with La Salle seeking to deny FEU a chance to defend their crown while ending their 17-year title drought.

DLSU managed to make a return trip to the finals for the first time in almost a decade by downing rivals Ateneo, 1-0, last week. The Green Booters remained unbeaten after Gelo Diamante's 88th minute strike. Head coach Hans Smit, believes that the squad "needs to be ready, mentally and psychologically" to be able to win the school's fifth title.

Goalkeeper Paeng de Guzman will be tasked to foil the goal-scoring exploits of Eric Giganto, Arnel Amita, and Jesus Melliza, who combined to score 39 goals in the eliminations. Helping him with this responsibility are defenders Matthew Nierras, Nico Villacin, Noel Brago, Greggy Yang, and Gerald Layumas.

FEU, on the other hand, needed extra time to upend UP, 1-0, in the other semifinal, as Amita scored the lone goal of the match on a rebound off his missed penalty in the 99th minute, keeping their hopes of defending their title alive.

The Manila Jeepney midfielder believes that due to the relative easy accessibility of Rizal Memorial to La Salle, the Green Booters would have a distinct homefield advantage. He adds that their finals opponent is also very strong on both sides of the ball, but they will continue to attack and never surrender.

Both games will be telecast LIVE on ABS-CBN Sports and Action, starting at 2pm.

Meanwhile, yesterday, the first step of securing the treble was successfully made, as the Baby Tamaraws overcame a couple of obstacles to secure a hotly-contested 2-1 win over Ateneo at the artificial turf field of FEU-Diliman and successfully defend their Juniors crown.

The younger Blue Booters went ahead eight minutes in, as Jodi Layug scored the opening goal of the match eight minutes in. The boys of head coach JP Merida would even get a personnel advantage after Nickael Ferrer was sent off for a foul in the first half.

However, Gio Pabualan tied the game for the Baby Tamaraws just before the break. Mark Arranguez would then put the soon-to-be five-time champions ahead in the 61st minute.

Ateneo tried to find an equalizer, but they were unable to convert those scoring opportunities from the likes of Jarvey Gayoso.

The closer it got to the end, the more intense the game got, with both sides getting a player sent off in the dying minutes, ending up with a 10-on-9 matchup, and with both benches and crowds incensed at the officiating.

In the end, the boys of Kim Chul Su were able to retain the championship, which is their fifth in the brief history of the Juniors tournament.