Six Pinoy junior cagers to watch NBA games

MANILA, Philippines - Six Filipino teeners from the Jr. NBA Philippines team get the rare chance to watch live NBA games in New York and New Jersey this month and compete against their counterparts in the US.

Arc Gabriel Araw-araw, Carlo Escalambre, Aldrin Fegidero, Michael Jay Javelosa, Adrian Marvin Roland Muller and Mark Jayven Tallo make up the RP squad selected from among 40 aspirants in the recent Jr. NBA National Grassroots Youth Basketball Program.

Presented by Hi-Smart Multivitamins of New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corporation’s (NMPC), the four-month cage program, consisted of drills, lectures, and practices, honed the kids’ talents and skills.

Frank Lopez, former Orlando Magic assistant coach and present Jr. NBA USA coach, spearheaded the basketball workshop with help from former PBA stars Benjie Paras, Ronnie Magsanoc, Elmer Cabahug, Jolly Escobar and Jerry Cordiñera.

Son of former PBA player Mark Anthony Tallo, Mark Jayven took the MVP honors while Carlo Escalambre won the Caltex Sportsmanship award.