10 Visayans heading to Jr. NBA Philippines 2014 training camp

Mary Jane Catriz

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Out of 61 junior basketball player tryouts of Cebu Regional Selection Camp of Jr. NBA/WNBA Philippines finalists, only 5 Cebuanos, 3 Cebuanas and 2 Bacoleños made it to National Training Camp

FUTURE OF HOOPS? Jr. NBA Finalists from Cebu Regional Selection Camp from left to right: Andre Dadivas, Donn Lim, Andrew Velasco, Wayne Kirby Besaluna, Steven Co, Jomari Ranuco and Jethro Rocamora. Photo by Mary Jane Catriz/Rappler

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines – Out of 61 junior basketball player tryouts of Cebu Regional Selection Camp (CRSC) of Jr. NBA/WNBA Philippines finalists, only 5 Cebuanos, 3 Cebuanas and 2 Bacoleños made it to National Training Camp (NTC), it was announced on Tuesday, March 24 at the Ateneo de Cebu in Canduman, Mandaue City, Cebu.

The seven boys, who came from Cebu and Bacolod, include: Wayne Besaluña, Andrew Velasco and Steven Co of Ateneo de Cebu; Jomari Ranuco of the University of San Carlos; Jethro Rocamora of the First Christian Baptist School in Cebu; Andre Dadivas of University of St. La Salle in Bacolod and Donn Lim of St. John Institute, Bacolod.

While the girls, who will be the pioneering batch of Jr. WNBA players from Cebu are: Mary Jean Pascual of the University of Southwestern Philippines; Ma. Kassandra Bayking of Abellana National High School in Cebu; and Lymiel Padilla of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. (READ: Jr. NBA tips off for 7th year, expands program to females)

The Cebu finalists, who were evaluated by the Jr. NBA/WNBA committee headed by Jr. NBA coach and Basketball Operations of NBA Asia Specialist, Chris Sumner, and Jojo Lastimosa of the Alaska Power Camp, will represent Central Visayas at the NTC on April 25-27, at the Philippine International Convention Center and the SM Mall of Asia.

The 10 chosen rookie players were among the 1,152 kids who registered in Cebu for the camp this year, which set a program record for most participants registered in the Jr. NBA/WNBA since it was started in 2007. 

The players were tabbed for their all-around basketball skills, and utilized the Jr. NBA’s gist – S.T.A.R., play off the values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (a positive) Attitude and Respect. 

“We looked at how the players worked with their teammates, their skills and fundamentals. We also looked out for a positive attitude. Like, if they lose the ball, how did they react? If they went right back on defense, that’s a positive attitude. This was a very competitive group, very energetic. We have some pretty skilled players here,” said Coach Chris Sumner. 

There are three more regional selection camps on track after Cebu, in Dagupan on March 29-30 at the Stadia, Puerto Princesa on April 5-6 at the Puerto Princesa Sports Complex, and Manila at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum.

Jr. NBA/WNBA Philippines presented by Alaska, was organized by the NBA with Gatorade and Phoenix Petroleum as official partners. – Rappler.com

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