10 all stars off to China for NBA tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Ten young Filipino cagers who topped the Jr. NBA All Stars event left for Shanghai the other day to watch the China games between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers and play goodwill games with a counterpart junior team there.

The China trip is the last stage of Jr. NBA Philippines 2012 presented by Alaska, which tipped off in Manila in January and highlighted by the national training camp last May.–

The 10 kids are Camillus Altamirano, Lui Jhullano Besa, Antonio Jeffrey Coronel, Paulharley Dagunan, Regille Kent Ilagan, Felixberto Jaboneta, John Roald Mayor, Aljun Jay Melecio, Arnie Padilla and Patrick Ramirez

The 10 kids were the top performers of the camp who had been previously culled from Jr. NBA participants in regional selections held in Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, Manila and the Alaska Power Camp last April.

In Shanghai, the Filipino cagers aged 13-14 will also get a chance to interact with fellow Filipino Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and his team.

Every year, Jr. NBA All Stars are rewarded with an out of town trip as an authentic NBA experience for being the best performers of that year’s program.

Previous Jr. NBA All Stars included Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena and Growling Tiger Aljon Mariano in 2007 who went to San Francisco for a Golden State Warriors game; Staglet Carlo Escalambre and Archer Mark Jayven Tallo in 2008-09 who flew to New York City to watch the then New Jersey Nets play the Charlotte Bobcats; Fighting Maroon Henry Asilum and Saint John Institute star Kib Montalbo in 2010 who went to Beijing for a tour of the city and overseas games with a Jr. NBA counterpart team; and Xavier U standout Jarrell Lim and Staglet Lorenzo Navarro who toured NBA Asia and Disneyland in 2011.

For details on Jr. NBA 2012 and their China experience, visit www.jrnba.com.ph or log on to Jr.NBA Philippines on Facebook.