Jr. NBA Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska

TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH BASKETBALL PARTICIPATION

- Online Registration Now Live at www.jrnba.asia/philippines -

Let me tell you a brief history about basketball. Basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, during the cold days as a less injury-prone sport. During those days, they were using a fruit basket which was nailed to the lower railing of the gym. Later on, they finally removed the bottom of the basket. The first public basketball game was in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 11, 1892. It became popular in the 20th century in America & then throughout the world. They established basketball in colleges, & then followed by the professional game which is the American National Basketball League (NBA) in 1949.

In the Philippines, basketball has been very popular in every corner of the country. Wherever you go, you can see a basketball court. No matter how hot it is, Filipinos never stopped playing basketball even without a covered court. That's how they love the game.

Then, came the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA in the Philippines in 2007.

-More Than 36,000 Players and 2,700 Coaches Have Participated in the Program since 2007-

Here's a peek of the Alumni Gallery.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska is now back in the Philippines for the 9th consecutive year, from Jan. 23 - April 24. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program is free and open to boys and girls between the ages of 10-14.

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, the league's global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. During the 2015-16 season, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program will reach more than 6.5 million youth in 32 countries.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska is comprised of four stages...

Skills clinics in schools and communities
Regional Selection Camps
National Training Camp
NBA Experience Trip

The skills will be held nationwide from January through April with stops in...

Bukidnon
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Dagupan
Davao
Iloilo
Metro Manila
Puerto Princesa

And first-time locations in Batangas, Catanduanes, and Cavite. Selected players from these clinics will have the oppotunity to showcase their skills in tryouts during the Regional Selection Camps.

Luzon: Benguet State University, Baguio City / Feb 20 - 21/ 9am - 4pm
Mindanao: Ateneo de Davao, Davao City / Feb. 27 - 28 / 9am - 4pm
Visayas: Don Bosco Tech. Center / March 5 - 6 / 9am - 4pm
Metro Manila: Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati / April 9 -10 / 9am - 4pm

The top 50 boys and 24 girls from the Regional Selection Camps will advance to the National Training Camp in Manila April 22 - 24.

An NBA and WNBA player or legend will be in attendance at the National Training Camp to help train and inspire the finalists. The program will culminate with the selection of 10 Jr. NBA and 5 Jr. WNBA All-Stars who will travel on an overseas NBA experience trip together with the fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia.

(L-R) Alaska Managing Director Blen Fernando &
NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson

"The Junior NBA Philippines is the league's longest-running youth basketball program outside the United States," said NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson. "The program continues to positively impact the lives of children, parents, and coaches, & reinforces the positive values that go beyond the four corners of the court. Together with Alaska, we are committed to providing the world-class basketball instruction to more communities to further our mission of encouraging an active lifestyle among Filipino youth."

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Alumni was presented with Carlo Singson, Blen Fernando, the basketball coaches, Atlanta Hawks' Harry the Hawk & Alaska Aces' E.Cow

students are listening attentively while on training with head coach Craig Brown

You can see from the faces of the audience (parents, friends, teachers) how interested they are in the said event. Most of them are also there to give support.

These holistic programs train children to be confident, disciplined and hardworking, because Alaska Milk Corporation aims to prepare them to be winners in life in the future," said Alaska Marketing Director Blen Fernando.

In addition to the player camps and clinics, the search for the 2016 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year begun last Jan. 23 in Manila, which were led by Jr. NBA Coaches Craig Brown and Chris Sumner along with Alaska Power Camp Coach Jeff Cariaso.

(L-R) Coach Jeff Cariaso, Coach John, & me

During the event, I was lucky enough to meet the respectable head coaches, watch while they train the kids, & had photos taken with them.

Craig Brown

Chris Sumner

I am so impressed with their way of giving techniques or shall I say, how they professionally handled the training. Even though I am not knowledgeable enough with basketball, & not much into this sport, they really got my attention. Every detail of the training made me understand what basketball is all about.

It's not just about the techniques in playing basketball. It is also about team work, leadership, confidence, discipline, love for sports, loyalty, & most important of all is how to become a good sport. I'm sure that when these kids grow up, this experience they had will always be in their hearts.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program is free and open to boys and girls ages 10-14. Coaches and participants can now register online at www.jrnba.asia/philippines, where the program terms and conditions can be found.

Fans can also follow Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines. For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philsnba) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/nba_philippines).

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