Eight young cagers to represent North Luzon in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 National Training Camp in Manila

(The eight North Luzon finalists of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska with their coaches. Photo courtesy of: NBA Philippines)

Baguio City -- After two days of progressive drills and scrimmages, six boys and two girls topped the first Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska held February 20-21 at Benguet State University.

Jan Zyrus de Ayre, of Berkeley School, 14; Ric Ozner Joshua Gatuz of Cherished Moments School, 13; Vincent Mabiwo of University of Cordilleras, 13; Emmanuel James Macaranasn of Bayambang National High School, 13; Sergz Quitaleg of St. Louis University – Laboratory High School, 14; and Wrench Mason Roquid of University of Perpetual Help System- Laguna, 13 ruled the boys division while Katreena Areola, 13, also from Berkeley School; and Rae Jemima Caba, 13, of St. Louis University – Laboratory Elementary School are the girls who will represent North Luzon to the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines National Training Camp this April.

These eight young ballers stood out from among the 667 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA participants from the Cordillera Administrative Region and young players from Batangas and Laguna in South Luzon who travelled to Benguet for the opportunity to be selected for advancement to the next stages of the NBA’s global youth basketball participation program.

The finalists excelled in the skills stations and scrimmages and exemplified the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp. The Jr. NBA committee headed by Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach Craig Brown evaluated the regional finalists.

“I think everyone’s performance was outstanding and everyone had a positive attitude. I applaud the North Luzon participants for coming out and giving their best. They will perform very well in the National Training Camp,” said Coach Brown.

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 2016 Regional Selection Camp’s next stop will be Davao (February 27-28) followed by Cebu (March 5-6) and Manila (April 9-10). Qualified boys and girls who wish to join the selection camps may still register at www.jrnba.asia/philippines. The program is absolutely free.

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, 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.