NBA unveils refurbished basketball court in Angat, Bulacan
A basketball clinic is held at the newly refurbished court at Enchanted Village Farm in Angat, Bulacan. MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER SPORTS
ANGAT, Bulacan—NBA Cares has unveiled a newly refurbished basketball court at Enchanted Village Farm in Angat, Bulacan, a project done in cooperation with non-profit organization Gawad Kalinga (GK).
NBA Cares, who brought along New Orleans sophomore Herb Jones for the unveiling, aims to not just help the NGO progress in the sport of basketball but also to help GK’s central objective of combating poverty through affordable housing.
“When they saw someone like Herb, who’s a Pelican, in their mind it was almost impossible. That’s what we are trying to do in Gawad Kalinga, to break the impossible; impossibility of ending poverty and impossibility of ailing malnourishment. It’s a good thing, the inspiration and encouragement of NBA Cares, now that they are here,” GK chairman, Luis Oquinena said after the basketball clinic.
The event started with Oquinena hyping up the young athletes and introducing Jones and NBA Asia’s AVP for Basketball Operations, coach Carlos Barroca.
The duo of Barroca and Jones quickly made an impression on the kids who were eager to learn, as they helped them with their first itinerary for the day.
The youth clinic begins with coach Barroca leading the young athletes. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/GycBlkyjS8
— Rommel Bong Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) August 22, 2022
After the soil planting, the kids were then brought to the new and refurbished court inside Enchanted Village farm that was brimming with the NBA logo and colors.
The inspiration for the court’s design was the league’s 75th anniversary and the NBA’s growing audience, especially in the deeper parts of a basketball-crazed country such as the Philippines.
“I hope when we come back here in the future, this court is still here. This court means a lot for us and I hope this court will mean a lot for all of you,” Barroca said before rallying the troops for several basketball drills.
Jones, a member of the NBA’s all-rookie second team for 2021, also joined the fun and helped the kids understand more basketball fundamentals.
When asked if he would come back soon, his answer was simple but definitely loud.
“1000%, if I’m able to come back next year, I will. The environment they are living in, it’s not ideal and you can’t change the circumstances but I just love how they smile the entire time and enjoy themselves. That’s what I would leave with, their energy and love for the game,” Jones said.
The 6-foot-8 big also showed up in the NBA store in SM Megamall before his appearance in Bulacan.
