PBA to launch U11 clinics  

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday the league will conduct U11 clinics on June 2, 3, 9 and 10 at the CCF Gym, Meralco Avenue with assistance from the UP College of Human Kinetics under the supervision of deputy commissioner Eric Castro and technical official Joey Guanio. Expected to join are 150 to 200 kids who will be grouped into teams to play in a tournament after the clinics.

The initiative will roll out in the heels of the U12 and U14 competitions that were launched at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig, last Sunday. Marcial said the return of the Batang PBA program after three years of absence due to the pandemic was widely received as over a million hits were registered in the league’s website within hours of opening registration. It’s the 17th edition of the youth grassroots program that was started in 2004.

In Sunday’s kick-off rites, PBA players Mike Nieto and Gian Mamuyac were introduced as Batang PBA graduates by Marcial. Mamuyac recalled wearing Jayson Castro’s jersey in Batang PBA and said it was surreal that now, they’re playing as pros. Marcial said Kiefer Ravena and Aaron Black are other Batang PBA alumni.

There are 40 teams in the U12 and U14 divisions. Among the players are sons of PBA players Gabe Norwood, RJ Jazul and Jake Pascual, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero and PBA legends Vince Hizon, Marc Pingris and Benjie Paras. In a U12 game, Barangay Ginebra crushed Rain or Shine, 106-34 as Sky Jazul scored 10 points, Sam Paras eight, Elvin Pascual five and Cassius Norwood four. Both age divisions are divided into four groups of five. The top two teams in each group advance to the crossover quarterfinals after the single round eliminations. Winners move up to the knockout semifinals then survivors battle in the final.

Marcial said he was impressed by the kids’ skill level. “Nakakagulat,” he noted. “May crossover-dribble at three-point shooting. ‘Yan ang future ng Pinoy basketball. Akalain mo, may 6-4 player sa U14 na suot-suot size 19 na sapatos. At tamang-tama, ang jersey niya nakapangalan Asi Taulava.”

The U12 and U14 eliminations will end May 31 and playoffs are until June 2. Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig and FilOil EcoOil Center are the venues every morning before the games of the PBA D-League and PBA On Tour. Marcial said it’s free admission to watch the PBA On Tour in Metro Manila.  Promoters of out-of-town games in Baliwag, Tiaong, Batangas City and Dumaguete will sell tickets to cover costs. The PBA On Tour begins May 21 with Blackwater and NLEX facing off at the Caloocan Sports Complex. The UST gym will be the venue for a July 5 doubleheader featuring NorthPort against NLEX and Barangay Ginebra against Meralco.