Phoenix backs Jr. NBA

By Neil Bravo
AFTER TAKING the cudgels for junior hoops in Davao cagedom, what else could be a bigger leap than putting that Phoenix brand side by side with the world’s most popular basketball league?
Phoenix Petroleum has forged a partnership with NBA Asia in bringing the Jr. NBA basketball program to local shores.
In an unofficial release, Phoenix marketing supervisor Neb Bulaclac announced the partnership with a tagged news clip and photo of the formal announcement of the Jr. NBA program in the Philippines. The news clip and photos were tagged to EDGE Davao although the leading independent petroleum company has yet to make an official announcement.
The Jr. NBA has been brought to the country in recent years and will be in Davao City for the third time.
Alaska Milk is bringing the Jr. NBA as lead partner of NBA Asia.
“We will be sending the details soon once we get the clearance from NBA Asia,” said Bulaclac in a message to this writer.
A check with its official website revealed that the Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska is returning to the Philippines for the sixth consecutive year with a more extensive program. This year, the leading youth basketball program tips off in Manila, and moves to Davao City (hosted by Davao-based Phoenix Petroleum), Lucena City (hosted by the Provincial Government of Quezon) and Dagupan City (hosted by Community Service Idol) — reaching over 400 schools and communities nationwide.
The program is free and open to players aged 10 to 14 years old. More than 40,000 students, parents, and coaches will benefit through Jr. NBA activities including camps and clinics, NBA Cares outreach activities, television programs and digital initiatives.
The search for the third Coach of the Year will kick off on January 19 in Manila. This year’s Jr. NBA will be led by Jr. NBA Coach Sefu Bernard, who also acts as Director of Basketball Operations for NBA Asia.
Jr. NBA 2013 is composed of four stages, the Jr. NBA Touring Clinics for coaches and players from January to February, the Regional Selection Camps in March, the National Training Camp in April and the NBA Experience later in the year.
Jr. NBA was introduced in the Philippines in 2007. In 2008, the program expanded from 16 schools to more than 200, reaching approximately 20,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country. In 2012, the program reached more than 500 schools and 60,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country.