Nerlens Noel, Ruth Riley Grace Jr NBA/WNBA National Training Camp
- Jamil Buergo
- Apr 27, 2015
- 3 min read
Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers and former WNBA star Ruth Riley took part in the culmination of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 National Training Camp last April 24 to 26 at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum and SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Noel and Riley, both first time Manila visitors, coached the pre-selected training campers who vied for a slot for the 2015 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Stars. Noel and Riley join BJ Armstrong, A.C. Green, Luc Longley, Muggsy Bogues, Gordon Hayward and Tina Thompson as members of the NBA family who have been part of the Jr. NBA program in the Philippines.
Named to the Jr. NBA All Stars were Joshua Garing, Robert Alomar Castro, Ernest John Felicidad, Jeffy Mailim, Christian Allen Magno, Daniel Coo, Lloyd Raphael Oliva, Miguel Luigi Santos, Luis Sebastian Locsin, Edrian Custodio while Heart Pagara Donor, Luisa Krizelle San Juan, Micaela Pentecostes, Nelia Jean David, Kyla Flores made this year’s Jr. WNBA All Star team.
Now on its 8th year, Jr. NBA & Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska continuous to search for young and aspiring players in various regions in the country. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, is free for 10 to 14 year old boys and girls across all stages – from the school and open clinics, through the Regional Selection Camps, the National Training Camp and the NBA Experience.
The Regional Selection Camps, where outstanding young players in various regions will be chosen for inclusion in the National Training Camp, is Phase Two of the program which kicked off last February 21-22 at Seminario de San Jose in Puerto Princesa. In line with its thrust this year to make it fresh by bringing the program to more schools and communities nationwide, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp were also held on February 28-March 1 in Biñan, Laguna at Alonte Sports Arena, Iloilo City on March 7-8 at Ateneo de Iloilo, Baguio City on March 14-15 at St. Louis University, Bacolod on March 21-22 at St. John’s Institute, Davao on March 28-29 and Manila on April 11-12 at the PICC Forum. The best of the best players in these cities will undergo series of skills stations such as Lay-ups, Shooting, Passing, Footwork and Dribbling. Fifty boys and 24 girls were chosen to participate in the 8th annual Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp in Manila (the third phase of the program) from April 24-26.
The National Training Camp is the high point of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program where ten Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA standouts will be named as the 2015 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Stars and a Coach of the Year will be chosen. The 10 best male performers selected in the National Training Camp will be this year’s Jr. NBA Philippines All Star Team, while the 5 best female performers will be the first-ever Jr. WNBA All-Star Team. The male and female All-Stars will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience and the chance to play with a counterpart youth team abroad.
This program is just one of Alaska’s Sports Development Program that inspires children realize their dreams through teaching them skills to play the game while incorporating the values of determination, hard work, team work, discipline and sportsmanship. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program has reached hundreds of schools and communities nationwide and benefited thousands of children, parents, and coaches through grassroots activities like basketball training camps and school clinics.
The Jr. NBA & Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska Selection Camp is led by former Alaska player and current Alaska Basketball Powercamp Director Jeffrey Cariaso. Other coaches who run the drills and conduct the learning sessions include PBA Legend Rodney Santos, Eric de la Cuesta, John Ramirez, Christian Luanzon, Junjun Alas and Topex Robinson. Leading the way for the women’s camp are Perlas Pilipinas national players Melissa Jacob, Ish Tiu, and Justine Formata.
Since the program’s inception, it already has produced several outstanding alumni who are now playing for various colleges and universities. They are Ricci Rivero (LSGH), Dawn Ochea (Adamson), Kib Montalbo (DLSU), Tyler Tio (Xavier), Mark Tallo (South Western University), Kobe Paras and Kiefer Ravena.
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