40 players named to Jr. NBA camp

Twenty youths from Metro Manila and Luzon provinces will join 20 Jr. NBA players from Cebu who had earlier qualified for the Jr. NBA National Training Camp slated next month.

The Jr. NBA National Training Camp is the final stage of the 2008 Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Hi-Smart.

Aged 12-14, the 20 qualifiers topped the two-day Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp at the Jose Rizal U Gym last weekend.

About 200 kids showed their skills and learned new concepts, drills and principles as well from Jr. NBA coaches Jolly Escobar, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras and Ryan Gregorio in the two-day camp.

In the end, the players – known only by their registration numbers – were judged on their scores in the physical and agility tests, their ratings in the Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (Positive) Attitude and Respect, and their performances in the scrimmages.

The real battle begins on Feb. 27, the start of the Jr. NBA National Training Camp with the 40 players vying for six slots.

The 20 players from Luzon are: Carlo Escalambre, Dominic Domalanta, Emilio Puno, Roelandt John Gallardo, Mark Gamboa, Michael Jay Javelosa, Russell Fernandez, Reynald Magsalin, Carlos Nicolo Mercado, Gideon Ira Babilonia, Jose Gabriel Sumanguid, Joseph Bryan Operario, Dion Jackson, Les Paul Sanez, Shaquille Oswald Alanes, Thaddeus Dominique Ballada, Aldrin Fegidero, Neil Brian Ilarde, Jayson Angelo Nasayao, and Miguel Javier Palana.

The 20 players from the Visayas are: Ray Daniel Abbu, Iszak Kiefer Lim, Arc Gabriel Araw-Araw, Mark Jayven Tallo, Jomari Jericho Dinsay, Justin Jay Dela Cruz, Raul Dominic Antigua, Bradley Bacaltos, Jose Mario Pono, Lucky Suan, Patrick Nigel Go, Venezer Ian Bensig, Jomarie Gairanod, Nemenio Niko, Mhike Spencer Patalinghug, Noel Villaceran, Kristoffer Porter, Adrian Marvin Muller, Wablymar Del Rosario and Tecson Gacrama.