Jr. WNBA trains spotlight on rising PH female cagers

MANILA, Philippines – Girls get a chance to work on their game as the Jr. NBA expands its program with the launch of the Jr. WNBA in Manila this year.

The Jr. NBA and the Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska kicked off with a coaching clinic Saturday at British School in Taguig City, before players from different schools get to work on their skills today in the same venue.

Sefu Bernard, NBA Asia’s senior director of basketball, oversees the program along with local coaches led by PBA Legends Jojo Lastimosa and Jerry Codiñera and other mentors from the Alaska Power Camp.

“[With] the  launch of the Jr. WNBA program, we will reach even more youth players, especially girls, to help promote active lifestyles and harness their talents to compete on a national scale,” said NBA country manager Carlo Singson.

The program will head to Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Dagupan City and will also stop in Surigao and Iloilo City for the first time.

By March, the regional selection camps will be staged where the top 50 boys and top 24 girls from all over the country will be chosen to participate in the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA National Training Camp in Manila from April 25 to 27.

In the National Camp, the top 10 boys and the four best girls will be selected to represent the Philippines in the All-Stars game and compete with top campers from other countries late this year.

“[Both] girl and boy players will get the opportunity to participate in school clinics and selection camps in numerous venues across the country,” said Wilfred Uytengsu, president and chief executive officer of Alaska Milk Corporation.

“We look forward to our largest and most successful program yet.”