Cebu cagers head Jr NBA RP squad

MANILA, Philippines - Three players from Cebu, two from Manila and one from Isabela province bested 34 other campers in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp to clinch berths in the 2008-09 Jr. NBA Philippine team.

Carlo Escalambre, 14, from the Casa del Niño Montessori in Isabela; Michael Jay Javelosa, 13, of Ateneo de Manila; Mark Jayven Tallo, 14, from the Cebu Institute of Technology; Aldrin Fedigero from Pasay City South High; Arc Gabrielle Araw-Araw, 13, and Adrian Marvin Muller, 13, from the Sacred Heart School-Jesuits in Cebu stood out in the three-day camp among 12-14 kids that kicked off last November.

They will see action in the US against their counterparts and will watch NBA games in New York and New Jersey in April.

Tallo, son of former PBA Pepsi player Mark Anthony Tallo, emerged as the MVP in the event presented by Hi-Smart and backed by Basketball TV, Caltex, Gatorade, Spalding, adidas and The Philippine STAR.

Other awardees were Escalambre, Caltex Sportsmanship Award, Carlos Nicolo Mercado, BTV Rising Star Award, and Bradley Bacaltos, Gatorade High-Scorer Award.

Coach Frank Lopez Jr., the US-based Jr. NBA mentor who conducted the clinic, said the six cagers were outstanding in basketball skills, conditioning, outlook and the Jr. NBA S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (Positive) Attitude and Respect.

Assisting Lopez were Elmer Cabahug, Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Jolly Escobar and Jerry Codiñera.

“The achievements of these guys augur well for the future of Philippine basketball,” Lopez said. “It is an honor and privilege for me to have worked with them.”

Mark Fischer, senior vice president and managing director of NBA Asia, told the campers to nurture their dreams, maintain the friendships they have made during the camp.