Jr. NBA draws record crowd in Butuan selection camp

TIpoff at the Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Selection Camp in Butuan.

Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 welcomed a massive 1,505 young crowd in its the Mindanao leg at Fr. Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City over the weekend.

Boys and girls aged 10 to 14 from Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Davao, Sarangani and other provinces in Mindanao trooped to the first-ever Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp in the city for the record-setting numbers.

Young Higa-onon, Manobo and Banwaon players all tried their luck, but only 11 aspirants got the golden ticket to the two-day basketball exposition at the the National Training Camp on May 18 to 20.

Selections from the Jr. NBA Philippines Regional Training Camp in Butuan.

These 11 are: Richard Carvero III, 13, and Paolo Matthew Kho, 13, of Corpus Christi School; Christian Joi Mesias, 14, of Jose Maria College; Zhan Paolo Moreno, 13, of Xavier University; Michael John Sarmiento, 13, of Father Saturnino Urios University; Klein Tyrone Tagotongan, 13, of St. Mary’s School; and Vince Uchi, 14, of Alabel National Science High School for the boys division and Madelyn Flores, 14, of Bukidnon National High School; Aishe Solis, 13, of Corpus Christi School; Mikylla Taborada, 13, of Kauswagan National High School; and Pauline Angelique Valle, 13, of Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School for the girls division.

Jr. NBA coaches Rob Newson and Jeffrey Cariaso made the selections after two day’s worth of basketball training and scrimmages.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” said Newson. “We were really impressed with at least three of the kids who were selected that we really feel have the natural ability to make it until the end. The kids love the game. They worked really hard and I’m excited to see them in Manila.”

Baguio is set to host the next Regional Selection Camp on March 17 to 18 before it goes to its final stop in Manila on April 21 and 22.