Two SHS-AdC players among best in Jr. NBA Philippines camp

AS WHAT HAS been the trend for Cebu in recent years, two more Cebu players made it to the top 10 of the 2012 Jr. NBA Philippines national training camp held recently at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila.

Janjan Jaboneta and Arnie Padilla, both from the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, shone through during the three-day camp that showcased basketball drills, skills tests, stamina challenges, competitive games and fun games to test the young cagers’ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strengths.

The boot camp was conducted by former Chicago Bulls center Luc Longley, US Jr. NBA clinician Chris Clunie, the Alaska Coaching staff led by PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa and other coaches from the regions.

Completing the top 10 were Aljun Jay Melecio, Camillus Altamirano, Patrick Ramirez and John Roald Mayor from the Manila Regional Training Camp, Lui Besa from the Cagayan de Oro camp, Paul Dagunan from the Puerto Princesa camp, Antonio Jeffrey Coronel from Pampanga and Regille Kent Ilagan from the Alaska Power Camp in Manila.

Padilla also went home with the 2012 Jr. NBA Studio 23 All Star Player of the Game award.

The ten young cagers will be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime NBA experience and the chance to travel abroad to play against a counterpart Jr. NBA Team.

The top 10 were culled from a group of 50 junior players aged 10 to 14 who topped their respective regional selection camps in Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga and Manila through all of April and made it to the Jr. NBA National Training Camp which took place from May 3 to 5.

Past Cebuanos who made it into the Jr. NBA Philippine team were Mark Jayven Tallo, Arc Gabrielle Araw-Araw, Adrian Muller, Patrick Go, Henry Asilum, Miguel Competente, Dawn Ochea and Rendell Senining. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio