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OUT of
the thousands, few were chosen to hopefully represent
the Philippine youth team in several international
competitions, like the 2010 Junior Olympics.
To this,
I give credit to the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas
for its determination to put a semblance of organization
in the formation of future national teams after quick
fixes in previous years fell short of our aspirations
for resurgence as a basketball power, not only in
Southeast Asia but also in the whole of
Asia and
the world.
The
first step toward this direction is the creation of the
National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), a program
that will effectively do away with lack of preparation
in forming teams.
So after
the choosing, what’s next?
There’s
the initial cloud-nine feeling after being part of the
14 to 15 and 16 to 17 pool for both boys and girls. But
frankly, it is not all about glamour as the difficult
work is about to start with a year-round program in
store.
To this,
the SBP, through the NBTC, is seeking the full
cooperation of players, parents and schools for the
program to succeed.
For the
players, we expect them to make the most out of the
experience by putting to heart the lessons and the
additional skills to be learned by working hard and
being present in all of the individual learning sessions
and the weekend camps. No excuses.
At the
same time, we also expect these players to learn about
time management to also give their studies the focus it
needs.
For
parents who have been very supportive of their
children’s hoop dreams, we seek further understanding in
allowing their kids to attend NBTC activities and
constantly remind them and guide them through school
work.
This
support extends to the hardships that the kids will need
to undertake, not only to be become better players, but
also to be better individuals.
For the
schools, we hope to gain their cooperation in letting
these players participate in the national effort as they
extend concessions in academic activities should these
players fail to find time. May we also ask the school
population to support and cheer on these players as they
play for flag and country.
Come to
think of it, this effort of putting back together a
Philippine team is possibly the first step in putting
back the pride in wearing the national colors. There
were instances when a student opted to stay in a school
team rather than play for a bigger cause.
Remember
that most, if not, all of the top players in the pro
league paid their dues as national players. There’s no
other way of doing it.
So for
the record, I reveal the members of the NBTC-NCR pool
who will be presented to BAP-SBP president Manny
Pangilinan along with sponsors on January 19 at the
Makati Sports Club.
In the
16 to 17 years old boys’ pool are: Isaiah Ciria Cruz of
Arellano; Christian de la Paz, Vince Fran, Miguel Reyes,
Josemarie Adornado and Martin Reyes of De La Salle
Greenhills; Arnold Van Opstal and Masshi Okubo of De La
Salle Zobel; Kevin Gamboa, Juan Miguel Tiongson, John
David Dumrique of Ateneo de Manila; Ryan Monteclaro of
San Beda College; Kevin Alas of Letran; Cabrera Raider
of Emiliio Aguinaldo College along with Bon Jovi
Cipriano, Keith Agovida and Louie Vigil of Jose Rizal U.
Included
in the 14 to 15 boys’ pool are: Raphael Banal, Charles
Dumrique, Kiefer Ravena, Timothy Capacio and Paulo Pe of
Ateneo de Manila; Arthur de la Cruz, Aljon Mariano,
Christian Moralde, Erlance Feliciano, Christopher Javier
and Adrian Pujalte of San Beda College; Franz Pumaren,
Nikko Montelibano and Micco Sollano of De La Salle
Greenhills; Kyle Neypes and Cederick Labing-isa of
University of Santo Tomas, Cyril de Guzman and Joseph
Eriobu of University of Perpetual Help; Albert
Tanquintic of La Salle Antipolo and Kevin Lim of Xavier.
On the
16 to 17 girls’ list are Cristy Silva, Lora de la Cruz,
Lui Pujante and Rina Mar Laud of University of Santo
Tomas; Karen Columna and Catherine Merico of Chiang Kai
Shek; Katrina Santos, Princess Marie Trinidad and Dior
Ysabelde of De La Salle Zobel; Denise Tiu and Samantha
Ong of Immaculate Concepcion Academy; Chelisa Calaquian
of Saint Theresa’s College; Valerie Jiselle Chua of
Jubillee Christian Academy; Michelle Bio of De La Salle-Antipolo;
Marita Naidas of Assumption Antipolo; Angelica Bonleon
of the College of Saint Benilde; Louis Alison Fernandez
of UP Los Baños; Arlene Gesalan of Lyceum; Inang Laya
Javier of Community of Learners and Corinne Javier of
Assumption College.
In the
14 to 15 girls’ bracket are Araceli Abaca, Allyssa
Dogong and Nicole Garcia of Diliman Preparatory School;
Inna Corcuera and Sara Bo-ot of De La Salle Zobel;
Patricia Henson and Elrica Castro of Assumption Antipolo;
Clarissa Tioseco and Bella Nepomuceno and Bea Daez of
Assumption College; Miller Joy Ong, Kristine Siapoc,
Charmaine Sulit and Regina Pioquinto of De La Salle
Antipolo; Patricia Bautista and Cheski Tantoco of Poveda;
Angel Morales of San Beda Alabang; Kelly Salvador of
Saint Theresa’s College; Likhang Hirang Javier of
Community of Learners and Mary Snow Penaranda of Adamson
University.
There
are also other NBTC hopefuls in centers in the Visayas
and Mindanao.
Good
luck to us all! Go Philippine basketball! |
