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The
names may not register right now, but I’m sure that
these players (whose names I will mention later) are
soon the future of Philippine basketball. Virtually,
it’s history unfolding before our very eyes.
So goes
the first year of the National Basketball Training
Center (NBTC), a program initiated by the Basketball
Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng
Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) to develop new players who will be
ready to compete in international competitions, thereby
reducing the country’s dependence on professional
players and quick-fix solutions.
On May
25 the NBTC was completed at the Jacinto Tiu Competition
Court at Xavier School in Greenhills, San Juan, hosted
by NBTC-NCR territory head Alex Compton, with both
players’ parents and sponsors in attendance.
In the
ceremony, then-BAP-SBP executive director Patrick
Gregorio gave an idea on how the program was
conceptualized, and he mentioned that regardless of
politics in sports, funding from the sponsors and
support from the parents will be pushing the program.
The NBTC, he added, is consistent with the alignment of
the BAP-SBP programs with the Fiba programs.
The
players were presented to the parents and guests, and
then the exhibition games began and skills exhibitions
were held, including ball-handling drills. Compton
explained to the parents and guests the importance of
each ball-handling drill.
In the
awarding ceremony that followed, NBTC sponsor Molten
gave out brand-new basketballs to players who showed
outstanding skills in the ball-handling drills.
The
two-ball drill awardees were Terrence Romeo, Ryan
Monteclaro, Kristine Siapoc and Michelle Bio. For the
Chill Drill, the awardees were Zack Tabrani, Mikee
Reyes, Patricia Henson and Allyssa Dogong. Lay-up
Legends were Gwyne Capacio, Isiah Ciriacruz, Aziel
Ocampo and Patricia Bautista. The NBTC Sharp Shooters
were Dave Moralde, Niccon Cresencio, Elrica Castro and
Angel Morales. Captain Commandos were Anton Altamirano,
Aljon Mariano and Josemarie Adornado.
Special
awards were given to players who showed exemplary
attitude and improvement during the training, with Nike
providing shoes for the awardees.
The All
Heart award went to Zack Tabrani, Ryan Monteclaro, Bella
Nepomuceno and Cheskie Tantoco. The Most Committed award
went to Micco Sollano, Isiah Ciriacruz, Elrica Castro
and Angel Morales. Most Improved players were Albert
Tanquintic, Josemarie Adornado, Likha Javier and Bea
Daez. The Most Outstanding Players were Gwyne Capacio,
Mikee Reyes, Miller Ong and Aracelli Abaca.
The
players from Davao, who were in Manila to play for the
NBTC team for the Nike Summer League, were also given
recognition for the awards they got in NBTC Davao. NBTC
Davao’s Sharp Shooter is Raphael Nayve, while Gryann
Mendoza got the All Heart award. Most Outstanding
players for NBTC Davao were Erickson Galacgac and Baser
Amer.
On
behalf of the players, Micco Sollano thanked the coaches
for the patience and support and gave a speech about the
things they learned in the training center. It is the
beginning of something big.
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