Andy Gemao (fourth from the left, jersey #11) is named to the NBA BWB Abu Dhabi All-Star team. –NBA BWB PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—It may be a tall order but Andy Gemao is ready to help Letran defend the NCAA boys’ basketball crown after pick up several lessons in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Asia camp.
Gemao, alongside fellow Filipino high school cager Jelomar Rota of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, participated in the three-day NBA’s BWB Asia camp at New York University, Abu Dhabi to make up 80 young basketball prospects across Asia and the Middle East.
During the camp, Gemao and Rota experienced advanced training–including team offensive and defensive concepts, ball screen actions, ball handling and passing, and shot creation and finishing–and participated in exhibition games and a three-point competition.
Gemao made an impression and was hailed as one of the camp’s All-Star players. For him, training with the pros and the best in Asia will bolster his skills come NCAA Season 99.
“It’s [camp] really big because for us we [Letran] already know we’re the best HS program in the NCAA. We’re still doing all we can to improve and the opportunity here to join is big because I learned a lot,” Gemao said in Filipino.
“In the [NCAA], we’re a bit relaxed to the point that even if our stars don’t give it their all, we can still win but here, I learned that I need to be the most hardworking guy and I shouldn’t force myself too much,” he added.
Gemao was a huge revelation for the Squires after they won the Season 98 crown.
BIG TEST
Jelomar Rota. –NBA BWB
Rota, meanwhile, also said he learned a lot from the pros and other talents that were in attendance for the BWB camp.
“Me arriving here was big, I faced the top players in Asia and it really tested my talents and how much more I can give,” he said.
The participants in Dubai had a chance to learn from the likes of NBA players Saddiq Bey and Monte Morris and league veterans Taj Gibson, Rodney McGruder and Vladimir Radmanovic.
Kai Sotto, Jared Bahay, Forthsky Padrigao and Harold Alarcon participated in the BWB program before making their names at the collegiate level.