Jr. NBA presented by Alaska is back in the Philippines for the seventh consecutive year. This year, Jr. NBA Philippines has expanded to include Jr. WNBA—a new program introduced exclusively for girls. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2014 presented by Alaska tips off in Manila then moves to Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Dagupan City, including first-time stops in Surigao and Iloilo City—reaching over 500 schools and communities nationwide.
Carlo Singson, NBA Asia Country Manager-Philippines and Wilfred Stephen Uytengsu, President and CEO, Alaska officially launch Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Philippines 2014 presented by Alaska. The event tipped off Saturday, January 18 with a Coaches Clinic at the British School in Taguig City. 294 coaches attended the first coaches clinic for the year. The first School Clinic of the season started, Sunday, January 19 also at the British School.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is the league’s international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children. The 2014 Philippine schedule includes school clinics as well as coaching seminars in the lead up to Regional Selection Camps in each of the cities. The program, which remains free and open to players between 10 and 14 years old, will conclude in Metro Manila with the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp.
“Jr. NBA Philippines is going into its seventh year and with the launch of the Jr. WNBA program, we will reach even more youth players, especially girls, to help promote active lifestyles and harness their talents to compete on a national scale,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Country Manager, Philippines. “The continued support of our partners has helped Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines grow each year, positively impacting the lives of all the aspiring players, coaches, educators, and parents involved.”
“We are excited to jumpstart another active year of Alaska Sports with the return of the Jr. NBA program,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation. “This year, both girl and boy players will get the opportunity to participate in school clinics and selection camps in numerous venues across the country, and we look forward to our largest and most successful program yet.”
This year’s program will tip off with a coaches clinic in Manila on Jan. 18, followed by a school clinic on Jan. 19, before touring clinics in Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Surigao, Iloilo City and Dagupan City. Regional Selection Camps will be held in March and April, after which the top 50 boys and top 24 girls from all over the country will participate in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp in Manila from April 25-27. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of 10 Jr. NBA and 4 Jr. WNBA All-Stars, providing these select campers with a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a counterpart team from another country later in the year.
The search for the 2014 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year also begins on January 18 in Manila. NBA Asia’s Senior Director of Basketball, Sefu Bernard, will serve as the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Camp Director and oversee the Coach of the Year Operations program along with local coaches selected by the NBA, and coaches of the Alaska Power Camp, led by PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa. 10 Jr. NBA and 4 Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year finalists will be selected to participate in the National Training Camp under Jr. NBA Coaches to enhance their coaching skills. The Coach of the Year award winners will be announced at the National Training Camp in Manila, which will also be attended by an NBA Legend and a WNBA Player/Legend, and feature NBA Cares community outreach.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is presented by Alaska Milk. Gatorade and Phoenix Petroleum are Official Partners, while KFC and Spalding are Supporting Partners. The SM Mall of Asia and SM Cinemas are the Official Venues for Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA. Official NBA Broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and ABS-CBN Sports. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).
The Jr. NBA program was first conducted in the Philippines in 2007 and has more than doubled in participation in the past six years. Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches. This year, more than 80,000 students, parents, and coaches will benefit through Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA activities including camps and clinics, NBA Cares outreach activities, television programs and digital initiatives.
Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA event website www.jrnba.asia/philippines. Fans can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines. For all things NBA, visit us at www.nba.com and follow us on our official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/NBA_Philippines.
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