Alaska 2016 Regional Selection Camp Baguio: Tears and Triump

Alaska Milk recognizes the need of Filipino children for proper nutrition that helps children reach their full growth potential.  Aside from proper nutrition, an active lifestyle is needed in order to shape and nurture healthier children.  Because of this, Alaska Milk encourages children to “go out and play” through its NUTRITION. ACTION. CHAMPION. programs: Alaska Basketball is one of them.

Inspirational talk from the Alumni and their coaches

For the 2nd time, I was able to witness the tears, sweat, and triumph of each of the children who was there at the early wee hours of the morning to register for the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 2016 Regional Selection Camp.

To my surprise I was greeted with smile and hugs from lasts year aspirants and their parents.

For two days, I watch the boys and girls who I considered my anak and hope that they would be able to get the slot and continue their dream at the National Training Camp which will be held on Manila this coming April.

It was not only the children that are excited but the whole team of the camp Alaska. Alaska Milk has a professional basketball team, the 14-time PBA champion, some  Alaska Aces, which continues to inspire the youth to become future champions who are guided by positive values are also there to support the event and are part of the training as well.  Finally, Alaska Milk partners with excellent local and international organizations who share the same objectives, vision, and values like the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA

So many children, so many stories behind each one of them. There is only one thing that’s is common among them, the drive to excel and the love for basketball

The initial training is not easy; there are several drills that they have to pass through to test their agility and strength.

You could see tall boys, small ones, lean and chubby, but this is not the real qualification if you could see what I see. In every child’s heart, a true player is a team player. No one play for himself, his part of a team and not a solo performer and the training show them all of these things.

Here is one of my anak from last year, learn from her and you will find out about her experience

Here are the new aspirants and their dreams

Two days of progressive drills and scrimmages, for the first Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska held February 20-21 at Benguet State University. Here are some of the footage during the training

Besides the training, there are some free time games as well

The Alumni, I was so happy to see them again. As a way of showing their gratitude to the program; they have volunteer to be part of the camp.

Happy to her again, she may not have been chosen again for this year but it will she will not stop until she is ready. With proper training  and height, I know I will see her again try her best to be chosen and be part of the National Camp Training in Manila

My 3^rd timer, he loves Basketball and yet he can still maintain a good standing in school. A valedictorian in during his elementary, he shows that sports and education can be a team in developing his personality. A boy that any parent can be proud off.

Basketball is not just a boy’s thing, the girls show that they are just as prepared as the boys are.

From the sideline, I can’t help but be amazed as how parents supports their children. If I am a stage mom, this one is definitely a stage dad

Just like me, parents are supporters of whatever our children dream off. We are here to guide them, be it as alalay, taga dala ng tubig, ng damit or cheer leading squad for every points that they do. WE are the number one fan, that is what we are

Everyone’s performance was outstanding and everyone had a positive attitude. Congratulation to the North Luzon participants for coming out and giving their best. See you all in the National Training Camp

Six boys and two girls topped the first Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska held February 20-21 at Benguet State University.

 Katreena Areola, 13,is from  from Berkeley School; Kat loves to play with ball even as a child, she has a doll but it was ken, dont get me wrong but kat is 100% a girl. This is her 1st time to join and was thankful that she was chosen since she would be turning 14 and this is her last chance to join. She is a high school varsity and is a represtative of  Baguio for the Palarong Pambansa.
 Rae Jemima Caba, 13, of St. Louis University – Laboratory Elementary School was a second timer since I meet her last year. She was part of the reserved list but was not able to join the national training camp. She was so happy that she was chosen this year and i can't wait to see her in Manila

Jan Zyrus de Ayre, of Berkeley School, 14; Ric Ozner Joshua Gatuz of Cherished Moments School, 13; Vincent Mabiwo of University of Cordilleras, 13; Emmanuel James Macaranasn of Bayambang National High School, 13; Sergz Quitaleg of St. Louis University – Laboratory High School, 14; and Wrench Mason Roquid of University of Perpetual Help System- Laguna, 13 ruled the boys division .
I was so happy to see my anak from last year, because he was been chosen as part of this years finalist for the National Camp Training. This boys are not first timer, there's even a 3rd timer here but it only shows just how much they love the sports and are willing to try over and over again and their tear and sweat paid off. See you soon in Manila.

These are the ones  who will represent North Luzon to the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines National Training Camp this April.

These eight young ballers stood out from among the 667 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA participants from the Cordillera Administrative Region and young players from Batangas and Laguna in South Luzon who travelled to Benguet for the opportunity to be selected for advancement to the next stages of the NBA’s global youth basketball participation program.

The finalists excelled in the skills stations and scrimmages and exemplified the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp. The Jr. NBA committee headed by Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach Craig Brown evaluated the regional finalists.

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 2016 Regional Selection Camp’s next stop will be Davao (February 27-28) followed by Cebu (March 5-6) and Manila (April 9-10). Qualified boys and girls who wish to join the selection camps may still register at www.jrnba.asia/philippines. The program is absolutely free.

Coaches and participants can now register online at www.jrnba.asia/philippines, where the program terms and conditions can be found. Fans can also follow Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines

For all things NBA, fans can visit www.nba.com, like the NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/philsnba and follow www.twitter.com/nba_philippines on Twitter.

To learn more about the Alaska Milk Corporation, visit www.alaskamilk.com and www.playph.com.