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SOME 20
years ago, the likes of Alvin Patrimonio, Benjie Paras,
Jojo Lastimosa, Jerry Codiñera, Ronnie Magsanoc, Allan
Caidic and Samboy Lim epitomized the future of
Philippine basketball with the old guards of Toyota-Crispa
lore fading out into the glorious sunset.
Back
then, who would have imagined that the tales of
basketball success would be weaved around these
personalities, who were then too young to see themselves
as every basketball fan’s pride and joy.
So
someone out there could be the next basketball superstar
a few years from now.
Although
he or she might want it, it all seems like a far-fetched
dream at the moment.
So all
he or she needs is the push to the right direction with
the motivation to bring basketball skills to the next
level by playing for the country.
The
names I’ve mentioned earned their spurs and popularity
even before they climbed aboard the pro league by being
staples of several gold-winning teams in several
international competitions.
Fact is,
a stint in the pro league was only the crowning glory of
success, but beneath it beats the heart of true-blue
national player worthy to wear the flag.
So we
get into that line of thinking and desire anew as the
National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) held a series
of tryouts nationwide to be capped by schedule set on
December 22 and 23 at the Xavier Sports Center in San
Juan.
Under
the baton of NBTC-NCR territory head Alex Compton, some
200 high-school students will be screened if they have
what it takes to be part of the national pool from which
the members of future youth teams and entries to 2010
Junior Olympics would be taken from.
They
also have the chance to don the national colors in the
Fiba 18 and under tournament November next year.
Among
the 200 names are Art de la Cruz, Aljon Mariano and Dave
Moralde of San Beda; Terence Romeo of Letran; Kevin
Erazo and Kieffer Ravena of Ateneo; Franz Luigi Pumaren
and Nicholas Montelibano of La Salle-Greenhills for
those born 1992 and 1993.
For
those born in 1990 and 1991, the pool includes Kevin
Alas of Letran, Martin Reyes of La Salle-Greenhills,
Ryan Buenafe and Arvie Bringas of San Sebastian College,
Jeric Teng of Xavier, Joseph Marata of University of the
Philippines, Gwyne Capacio of De La Salle-Zobel, Kevin
Batac of National University and Bon Jovi Cipriano of
Jose Rizal University.
For
those who are still interested to join, they should be
nominated by their high-school coaches and evaluated by
a selection committee composed of Ato Badolato, Franz
Pumaren, Alex Compton and yours truly.
For
those who made it to the initial list, they can check
their names by e-mailing info@nbtcpilipinas.com.or
logging on to www.sbp.com.ph. A list of qualified
aspirants will also be available with the athletic
directors of different schools.
The
December 22 tryouts are set from 1 to 5 p.m. for 17 to
18 years old girls while December 23 tryouts are from 8
to 12 noon for 14 to 16 years old boys and 1 to 5 p.m.
for 17 to 19 years old boys under the BAP-Samahang
Basketbol ng Pilipinas under Manny V. Pangilinan.
Qualifiers of regional camps in
Cebu, Davao and
NCR will undergo a year of training for individual
skills and several camps under the finest coaches in the
country.
This is
where we separate the chaff from the grain and the best
players to wear the national colors from among the
better and good ones.
May the
best players make the national pool for our country’s
sake. |
