Jr. NBA is back

Nearly two hundred (200) coaches from the NCR, the Calabarzon area, Bulacan, and from as far away as Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, and Palawan, participated in the first of two Jr. NBA Coaching Clinics, as the Jr. NBA Philippines program presented by Alaska tipped off at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City yesterday (January 19).

Jr. NBA, the NBA's international basketball development program for youth returns to the Philippines for the fourth consecutive year.  Also returning to lead the program is US-based Jr. NBA Coach Frank Lopez, who shared his knowledge, experience and philosophy with Filipino coaches, including many from the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).  Complementing the coaching sessions were nutritional and hydration seminars conduct by program partners Hi-Smart Multivitamins and Gatorade, respectively.

Lopez, the celebrated and popular coach with a wealth of international experience, including being lead clinician at the NBA China Skills Challenge Basketball Camp in Guangzhou, China, the Dallas Mavericks Basketball Youth Camps, and the Orlando Magic Basketball Youth Camps, and was a basketball official for the New Jersey Nets, never fails to win the admiration of local coaches who are energized and inspired by Coach Frank’s upbeat teaching style and unique coaching philosophy.

“Coaching is not just about skills and science. It’s a philosophy. It’s a way of reaching young people and making them learn all-important values about basketball and life,” Coach Frank said. The Jr. NBA promotes the S.T.A.R. values in its coaches and school clinics. The S.T.A.R. values are Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect.

“Today, I learned that it’s important to give your players the same respect that they give you,” said Jeff Sto. Domingo, a junior league coach from PAREF Southridge School.

For the first time in its history, Jr. NBA presented by Alaska will feature a Coach of the Year Award that will recognize the important work done by coaches to promote the S.T.A.R values in their schools and to grow the sport of basketball in their communities.  Ten outstanding coaches will be selected and given an all-expense paid trip to Manila to participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, alongside with Coach Frank, the Jr. NBA Coaching Staff, and an NBA Legend. Based on their work at the National Training Camp, one of the ten will be named the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year and will have the unique opportunity to join the coaching staff of the Jr. NBA All-Star Philippine Team that will be selected to play against other Jr. NBA teams abroad.

The Jr. NBA will next bring its coaches clinic to Bacolod City on Friday, Jan. 21, then follow it up with school clinics in various schools in Bacolod, Cebu, Laguna and Manila from Jan. 21 to Feb. 26.

At the conclusion of the school clinics, the  Jr. NBA Open Regional Selection camps will be held in March in the 4 cities to select the top 50 student-athletes from all over the Philippines who will participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp to be held in April in Manila.  As part of Alaska Milk’s participation in the Jr. NBA, ten outstanding participants in this year’s Alaska Basketball Power Camp will be part of the 50 who will be invited to the Jr. NBA National Training Camp.  An NBA Legend will be a featured instructor at the National Training Camp.

Working with Coach Frank Lopez are Jr. NBA-appointed local coaches, led by Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend and current Alaska Aces Assistant Coach Jojo Lastimosa, as well as PBA Legend Elmer "Boy" Cabahug.  The coaches will help conduct school clinics, assist in teaching the NBA skill stations, as well as preach the importance of the S.T.A.R. values.

Jr. NBA 2011 is presented by Alaska and is also made possible through the support of some of the NBA's Official Partners including Asia Miles, Gatorade and Hi-Smart Multivitamins.  Basketball TV is the Official Media Partner while the Marriott Manila and Spalding are the Official Suppliers.  For more information on Jr. NBA Philippines, including registration information, dates, venues, photos and news, log on the www.jrnba.com.ph.