PHL Jr. NBA delegation arrives in Beijing

BEIJING – In 2007, the Jr. NBA program was initiated in the Philippines with the main aim of not just promoting NBA consciousness but also holding training camps not just for the youth but aspiring coaches as well.

Seven years later, the rest of Southeast Asia has taken up the Jr. NBA program too.

One by one, delegations from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia all arrived in this Chinese capital before the 19-man Philippine delegation joined the group in the afternoon that signaled the start of these kids who emerged from their respective Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA national training camps.

"The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA programs have grown and we're optimistic it will grow even further in the coming years," said Dennis Kim, events coordinator for the organizing NBA Asia, Limited.

More than 50 kids aged 13 to 14 years old made it here, including the Phl, represented by 10 boys and five girls whose trip here is being sponsored by Alaska Milk and the NBA.

They are Jethro Rocamora of First Baptist Christian School, Andrew Vincent Velasco of Ateneo de Cebu, SJ Belangel of Taytung, Vince Leo Dolendo and David Leonardo Umadhay of Huasiong College, Rhayyan Amsali of Nazareth School, Paul Matthew Manalang of NU and Jan Cyril Narvasa of UST and Luigi Miguel Velasco of La Salle-Greenhills in the boys team.

The girls are represented by Arielle Marie Lanot of La Salle-Zobel, Kreecie Bettina Binaohan and Roxanne Salvador both of Perpetual Help, Karl Ann Pingol of Pototan School in Iloilo and Mary Jean Pascua of University of Southern Philippines of Cebu.

Each country also sent their top male and female coaches with the Filipinos sending in Tacloban City's Andy Tecocan and St. Stephen High's Pia Dysangco.

On Wednesday, all Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA representatives will participate in a basketball clinic at the Yao School, which is owned by retired former NBA All-Star Yao Ming.

The same day, participants will be spread out to play friendly games before being treated to an autograph signing session and witness the 2014 Beijing Global Games presented by ZTE featuring the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings at the Mastercard Center Wednesday night.

For everyone, it’s a dream come true.

"It was a fun experience because we're not only treated to see some of China's famous places but also watch an NBA game live," said Luigi Velasco, son of College of St. Benilde coach Gabby.