When the Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska holds its main event -- the National Training Camp – at SM Mall of Asia on April 28, basketball fans will be treated to a basketball extravaganza starring the acknowledged next generation of outstanding Pinoy basketball players.

The most promising young stars of the UAAP, NCAA and provincial school leagues will pit their talents against each other in an exhibition game featuring Jr. NBA All Stars alumni from 2007 to 2012 who are now suited up for the various collegiate leagues nationwide.

Jr. NBA All Stars alumni bannered by UST Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano, UP Fighting Maroon Henry Asilum, UST junior players John Roald Mayor, Patrick Ramirez, Thristan Laman and Patrick Nigel Go, UE Junior Warriors Itchie Altamirano and Paul Dagunan, NU Bull Pup Hubert Cani, De La Salle Zobel Jr. Archer Aljun Jay Melecio, La Salle Greenhills Greenie Kobe Paras, Ateneo Blue Eaglet Mio Puno, San Sebastian Staglets Carlo Escalambre and RK Ilagan, Jose Rizal Junior Bomber Aldrin Fegidero and Ateneo de Cebu Blue Magis Miguel Competente will see action in the noontime game which will highlight the last day of this year’s National Training Camp.

NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues, who will arrive in Manila to join the Jr. NBA coaching staff at the National Training Camp will coach Team Muggsy while PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa will coach Team Jolas. A players’ draft will be held on April 13 to determine the composition of each team.

This is the first time that a Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni game will be played as part of the Jr. NBA event. “Everybody’s so excited because it is a first for the Jr. NBA. The program has grown and evolved through the years and this new event will show why these young players were chosen as the best of their respective batches, and why they are today’s most promising varsity players in school leagues all over the country,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Asia Country Manager-Philippines.

The National Training Camp is the third and highlight phase of Jr. NBA Philippines 2013 presented by Alaska. Later in the day of April 28, new Jr. NBA All Stars will be selected from a pool of 50 participants aged 10 to 14 years old who stood out in the Regional Selection Camps held in Dagupan, Davao, Lucena, the NCR and the Alaska Power Camp.

The new batch of Jr. NBA All Stars – like the Jr. NBA All Stars Alumni – will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience abroad plus the chance to play against a counterpart Jr. NBA team there.

This is the sixth consecutive staging of the Jr. NBA in the country.

I'm sure readers are wondering why a Mom like get to be invited in this sporty event, well Moms should know things especially now that my two boys are growing and I need to keep up with them.  Just in case Dad will not be available in things like this.

So, the event was about basketball.  It was held in Treston International School as a Tip-off Conference from the 2012 Jr. NBA.


Here's what they say about this program...

The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska is back in the Philippines for the fifth consecutive year, with first-time stops in Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.  Alaska Powdered Milk Drink will serve as the presenting partner of the Jr. NBA program for the second consecutive year.


The Jr. NBA is the league's international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children.  In addition to the three new cities, the 2012 Philippines schedule will also include Metro Manila, where the Jr. NBA National Training Camp will take place.  The program is open to boys between 10 and 14 years old.

"We have a great partner in Alaska, which shares our dedication to youth sports development and has played a vital role in the growth of the Jr. NBA program," said Scott Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Asia.  "With the involvement of all our partners, the Jr. NBA program continues to expand and touch the lives of more young players, coaches, educators, and parents."

"Alaska is committed to developing talent at the youth level and we are pleased to return as presenting partner," said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation.  "The Jr. NBA is a great fit with Alaska's mission to nurture talent and promote a healthy lifestyle through sports from a young age, and we look forward to another successful program this year."


This year's program will tip off with a coaching clinic in Manila on Jan. 14, and will then travel to Puerto Princesa in Palawan for a coaching clinic on Jan 15 and a school clinic on Jan. 16.  From Palawan, the Jr. NBA will return to Central LUzon on Jan. 18 for a school clinic and NBA Cares event in flood hit Pampanga.  The Jr. NBA will also hold an NBA Cares activity on Jan. 19 in Cagayan de Oro, which was recently devastated by Typhoon Sendong, followed by a schol clinic on Jan 20.

School clinics will continue during the months of February and March in Metro Manila in the lead up to the Regional Selection Camps which will be held in Puerto Princesa (Apr 10 - 11), Cagayan de Oro (Apr 14 - 15), Pampanga (Apr 17 - 18) and Manila (Apr 21 - 22).  Upon completion of the Regional Selection Camps, the top 50 players from all over the country will be slected to participate in the three-day Jr. NBA National Training Camp to be held in early May in Manila.  As part of Alaska Milk's support of the Jr. NBA, 10 of the 50 National Camp participants will be selected from this year's Alaska Basketball Power Camp.  The program will culminate with the selection of the Jr. NBA All-Star Team providing the 10 best campers a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a Jr. NBA team from another country.


Similar to last year, the 2012 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will be announced at the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, where the top 10 finalists for the award will be invited to participate as assistant instructors.  The award winner will be announced on the last day of the national training camp.  Coaches interested in joining the search for Coach of the Year can log onto the Jr. NBA website for more details.


This year, Jr. NBA coach and former NBA player Martin "Marty" Conlon, who played for several NBA teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, will oversee the program along with local coaches selected by the NBA, as well as members of the Alaska Aces coaching staff. The coaches will assist in teaching the NBA skill stations as well as communicating the importance of the Jr. NBA core values of sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude, and respect (S.T.A.R.).  An NBA legend will participate in the national training camp and community outreach programs through NBA Cares.

The Jr. NBA program, together with its partners, will reinforce key values such as the importance of sports participation for parents and children, and will educate children, parents and coaches on children's health and nutritional requirements.  In addition to Alaska Powdered Milk Drink, Gatorade returns as a partner this year and Spalding will once again act as the official supplier.  Jr. NBA official broadcast partners are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23, with the Manila Bulletin serving as the official media print partner.  Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).  Provincial Host Cities include Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.


The Jr. NBA first visited the Philippines in early 2007 at 16 Metro Manila private and public schools.  The program expanded to 200 schools and 20,000 participants in 2008-09 and to 300 schools and 30,000 students in 2009-10.  In 2011, the program reached more than 400 schools and 40,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country.  Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches.  The program remains free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino boys who want to join the program.  Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA event website www.jrnba.com.ph.  Fans can also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines and our official Twitter Feed at http://twitter.com/NBA_Philippines