The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that it will open its second NBA Store in the Philippines on Oct. 16 at the Mega Fashion Hall in Manila. To celebrate the opening, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper will make an appearance to meet and interact with fans.

Managed by International Athletic Trading Company, Inc. (IATC), the new NBA Store will offer basketball enthusiasts authentic NBA merchandise and memorabilia. The store will feature an extensive selection of NBA products from all 30 teams, including: official jerseys, footwear, performance gear, lifestyle apparel, basketballs, toys and collectibles. Fans can also find autographed NBA memorabilia as well as a personalized jersey service.

“The initial flagship NBA Store in Glorietta has established itself as the premier destination for NBA fanatics in the country and we could not be more excited to fuel their passion with the unveiling of our second store,” said Melvin Lloyd Lim, President and CEO, IATC. “By opening our doors in the heart of Metro Manila, we look forward to providing more fans access to a comprehensive assortment of NBA merchandise, bringing the authentic NBA shopping experience to Filipinos.”

“We are thrilled to expand our footprint with the opening of the second NBA Store in the Philippines,” said Carlo Singson, Associate Vice President and Country Manager for the Philippines, NBA Asia. “IATC is the ideal partner in our efforts to outfit more Filipinos in their favorite NBA apparel and to offer the widest range of NBA merchandise in the Philippines.”

The NBA Store will carry products from brands such as adidas, NIKE, Under Armour, New Era, Panini, Spalding, Stance, 2K Sports, and many more, including select NBA apparel exclusive to the store.

The first 10 visitors to the NBA Store in Mega Fashion Hall will be invited to attend a VIP launch event and that includes the chance to meet with Ron Harper. While in Manila, Harper will also visit the flagship NBA Store in Glorietta to interact with fans. Regular store hours of the NBA Store in Mega Fashion Hall are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

Earlier this month, the flagship NBA Store in the Philippines received the 2015 Asia Sports Industry Gold Award for the “Best Sports Retail Campaign” in recognition of the store’s industry leading standards

If basketballs and rings are to talk about my hubby is someone to chat about it but since our kids are two hyperactive boys, well I need to know this more often. If you have read my post last time it was the kick off of the Master Game Face Challenge with the two basketball superstars, Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine and Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee. This time it’s about the draft of their chosen PBA Players to complete the team of players.

Last week where I was there and witnessed the event itself, Team Chris and Team Marc drafted their chosen players from a pool of 30 PBA players. The game is scheduled to happen on June 21 7PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Some of the fans favorite PBA basketball players will be there together with some of the stars from the collegiate league. Like I said before, I have less knowledge about basketball so this NBA superstar of Minnesota Timberwolves named Kevin Love is new to me and thankfully I was able to know him because at least I have someone to say to my kids an NBA basketball player aside from Michael Jordan.

So, NBA Basketball fans, especially the fans of Kevin Love will definitely want to be there on that day, the Master Game Face All-Star Challenge.
After 6 weeks of online voting where fans got to choose their top players, finally the drat for the top 12 players happened last June 7 to officially complete the pool of players under Team Chris and Team Marc. Chose their top picks from a pool of 30 PBA players which garnered the most number of votes.
 Chris Tiu selected following PBA players.

1. Ranidel De Ocampo (Talk N' Text)
2. Jeff Chan (Rain or Shine)
3. Jimmy Alapag 
4. Mike Cortez (Meralco)
5. Cliff Hodge (Meralco)
6. Alex Nuyles (Rain or Shine)

1. Jeron Teng ( De La Salle)
2. Chris Newsome (Ateneo de Manila)
3. Kevin Ferrer (UST)
4. Mike Tolomia (FEU)
5. Rome Dela Rosa (San Beda)
6. Mark Cruz (Letran)
7. Zack Nichols. (Arellano)

Marc Pingris picked the following

1. Jeric Teng (Rain or Shine)
2. Larry Fonacier (Talk N' Text)
3. Gary David (Meralco)
4. Mark Barroca (San Mig Coffee)
5. Jared Dillinger (Meralco) 
6. Paul Artadi (Meralco)

To provide experience to his team composed of UAAP and NCAA standouts....

1. Andre Paras (UP/San Beda)
2. Jeoffrey Javillonar (NU)
3. Jericho Cruz (Adamson)
4. Roi Sumang (UE)
5. Baser Amer (San Beda)
6. Kevin Racal (Letran)
7. Josan Nimes (Mapua)

Jonathan Pua, Unilever Male Grooming brand manager said, “We are excited to bring to the country three-time NBA All-Star player Kevin Love. Dubbed by the Associated Press as the new face of the Timberwolves franchise, we will see him put his Master game face on to electrify Pinoy basketball fans with his skills and signature moves to elevate Master Game Face to an even higher lever this 2014.”
There were also the 3 on 3 Baranggay Championship match between Team Manila and Team Davao before the drafting.  Team Manila close the fight with a final score of Team 15 - Team Davao 12.
So this coming June 21 put on an oil-free game face on with Master’s complete line of face care products including facial wash, face cleansers and face moisturizers for the highly competitive sportsman, Master takes basketball to a whole new level. Oil can definitely reduce a player’s effectiveness in any game – especially in basketball. This was featured in the latest commercial of Master Facial Wash where both Chris Tiu and Marc Pingris battled it out with their oil-free , game faces on.
Boosting anti-oil protection, Master Oil Control Max Facial Wash ahs the revolutionary Cooling ZEROil formula that controls oil for 8 hours for that fresh game face look to bring out the best in anyone’s game – even off the court. Get 8 hours of no oil with Master Facial Wash so you can put your game face on! You can also fight deep seated dirt that causes pimples with Master Oil Control Max Deep Cleanser. Get more details by visiting their sites www.MasterPhilippines.com.ph and www.facebook.com/MasterPhilippines or follow their twitter and instagram accounts @MasterGameFace
Tickets to the Master Game Face All Star Basketball Challenge featuring the PBA, UAAP and NCDAA Players and NBA Star Kevin Love on June 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum can be purchased from Ticketnet outlets or by visiting Ticketnet’s website www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555.

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