Two Filipinos part of NBA development camp in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines—Two promising Filipino basketball players will take part in NBA Academy’s upcoming Asia Development Camp at OCBC Arena in Singapore beginning Monday.

Kieffer Alas, a rising star in high school basketball for La Salle-Zobel, and Irus Navarro Chua will be flying to Singapore to compete with 30 of the top male youth basketball players from 14 countries. Alas is the son of multi-titled mentor Louie and the younger brother of PBA star Kevin.

The four-day camp will be headed by NBA Global Academy technical director Marty Clarke and NBA Academy India technical director Scott Flemming.

“The first NBA Academy Asia Development Camp in Singapore will provide top prospects from across Asia with the opportunity to learn from coaches with professional, collegiate and international coaching experience and put their skills to the test against their peers from across the region,” said NBA Associate Vice President and Head of Elite Basketball Chris Ebersole.

“This camp is part of our broader basketball development efforts in Asia, where basketball talent is emerging at all levels,” he added.

Alas and Chua will be participating in skill development training, exhibition games and off-court activities with top-performing prospects to be given an opportunity to attend future NBA developmental programs. 

The NBA’s expansion in Asia also included the “Basketball Without Borders” program in the past where other young Filipino players like Jared Bahay, Forthsky Padrigao, Harold Alarcon and Kai Sotto participated.

Alas and Chua may soon be included on that growing list after the Asia Development Camp.