It’s game time as the Jr. NBA Philippines 2017 presented by Alaska returns to the Philippines. On its 10th year, the Jr. NBA is set to hold its Regional Sports Camp on April 1-2 at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City.
Alaska’s partnership with NBA Philippines is in line with Alaska’s commitment to promoting sports and outdoor play in the Philippines.
“The Jr. NBA Program is a great fit with Alaska’s mission to nurture young talents and to promote healthy and active lifestyle through sports and outdoor play,” says Wilfred Uytengsu, Alaska Milk Corporation President & CEO.
Based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey in 2013 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), obesity is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems of Filipino children with about 5 out of 100 Filipino children are overweight.
Given the growing issues on health, Alaska believes that there is a need to reinforce its thrust in leading a healthy lifestyle not just by drinking milk but by living actively through sports and other outdoor activities. Alaska seeks to engage the Filipino consumers, especially the youth, through its sports development programs to help nourish children to become champions.
“With Alaska as our partner, the Jr. NBA 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, NBA Cares outreach projects, television programs and online initiatives,” says NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson.
This year, thousands of students, parents, and coaches are expected to benefit through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA activities. The program is composed of four stages: the school and open clinics, the Regional Selection Camps, a National Training Camp and the NBA experience trip.
The schools and open clinics was held nationwide from January through March. Clinics were held in Bacolod, Batangas, Cagayan De Oro, Cavite, Cebu, Metro Manila and Subic. Select players from these clinics got the chance to showcase their talents during the Regional Selection Camps.
From the Regional Selection Camps, the top 37 boys and 37 girls advanced to the National Training Camp on May 12-14 in Manila. The National Training Camp will have NBA/WNBA talents in attendance to help train the pool.
In the end of the National Training Camp, eight Jr. NBA and 8 Jr. WNBA aspirants will be selected to comprise this year’s All Stars. They will travel with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia for a unique, overseas NBA experience later in the year.
The Jr. NBA Program is the international youth development program of the NBA. It aims to promote basketball participation, sportsmanship, teamwork and active lifestyle among children. It emphasizes fundamental skills development and the formation of STAR values – Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Positive Attitude, and Respect.
For live updates, go to www.jrnbaphilippines.com and follow Alaska PlayPh on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.
in Sundae Scoop