In the end no one region dominated the Jr. NBA National Training Camp at Jose Rizal University Gym yesterday as three Manila boys, three Cebu cagers and two Davaoeños took the top eight slots in the 2009-10 Jr. NBA Philippines All Star Team.

Thristan Edge Laman of Sta. Clara School of Antipolo, Janhubert Angelo Cani of the University of the East Grade School and Emilio Puno from the Ateneo de Manila High School are the three Manilans who made it to the Jr. NBA All Star Philippines Team, while Patrick Nigel Go from the Sacred Heart School of the Society of Jesus, Kirell Brahndon Montalbo from Taytung High School in Bacolod and Bryan Edward Villaluz from the Ateneo de Iloilo represent the Visayas in the Magic 8. Renzar Henry Asilum of the Holy Child School in Davao City and Karlo Lino Aranjuez from the Stella Maris Academy of Davao are the first ever representatives of Mindanao to the NBA’s youth basketball development program, which is presented by Hi-Smart Multivitamins.

Four players received special awards for their outstanding achievements in the National Training Camp. Thristan Edge Laman won the Gatorade High Scorer Award, Cyle Jowee Lopez from San Beda College received the Basketball TV Rising S.T.A.R. Award and Karlo Lino Aranjuez got the Mitsubishi Sportsmanship Award. Janhubert Angelo Cani was Hi-Smart Most Valuable Player of the Camp.

The top eight were culled from a large group of 40 cagers aged 12-14 who topped their respective regional selection camps last March to win the right to join the National Training Camp, then selected from an elite group of 20 who were the top performers in the training camp.

Three days of boot camp – basketball drills, skills tests, stamina challenges, competitive games and fun games – filled up the young basketeers’ time. NBA Legend BJ Armstrong – the first ever NBA Legend to participate in Jr. NBA Philippines activities – joined US Jr. NBA Coach Frank Lopez in running the drills. PBA Legends Ronnie Magsanoc, Benjie Paras, Elmer Cabahug and Cadel Mosqueda served as instructors and team leaders in the various stations and challenges.

The drills were new and very challenging, done the NBA way. “We really gave it our all in this camp that tested us to the limit. We know this is just once in a lifetime and we valued the experience. More than the basketball skills, we learned about friendship and the S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect, and we know we will become better persons after this camp – not just good basketball players,” said Henry Asilum from Davao City.

But the 40 campers were not just treated to a mind-and-spirit challenging NBA boot camp, they were also pampered with perks from Jr. NBA partners: a month’s supply of Hi Smart Multivitamins, brand new Adidas shoes, all the Gatorade they could drink to keep themselves well hydrated for the myriad physical challenges, chauffeured rides on Mitsubishi vans, a running coverage of all their action from Basketball TV, Spalding balls to play with and a princely stay at the five-star Marriott Manila Hotel.

The Jr. NBA Philippines Program presented by Hi-Smart Multivitamins became a nationwide program this year, with camps and clinics held in the NCR, Visayas and Mindanao, reaching over 300 schools across the country and benefiting over 30,000 students, parents and school coaches. All stages of the program are completely free.

Besides presentor Hi-Smart Multivitamins, other supporters of the Jr. NBA Philippines Program are Official Sports Drink Gatorade, Official Broadcast Partner Basketball TV, Official Automobile Partner Mitsubishi Motors, Official Hotel Marriott Manila, Official Mall Partner SM Supermalls, Official Supplier Spalding, and the Department of Education.

For more information about the Jr. NBA Philippines Program, go to the Jr. NBA event website www.nba.com/jrnba/philippines. Every stage of the program is completely free.