Philippines - BAP-SBP gears up youth for 2012 Olympics

From www.sunstar.com.ph
Download source here

The Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) is preparing for the 2010 Olympics like it is preparing its arsenals for war.

Last Tuesday night, the Nokia National Basketball Training Center was launched in the presence of BAP-SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio and program head Eric Altamirano and Visayas chief Mon Fernandez together with local leaders and stakeholders of the BAP-SBP.

"This is your service to the country. By the time you are in the right age for the PBA, you would already have served your nation well already," Gregorio told the 38 players chosen for the program and their parents at the City Sports Club Cebu.

"We have chosen the best after a strenuous batteries of screening. But it is not over yet, we are only starting," said NBTC program director Altamirano.

The program will serve as training ground for the players to improve and develop their skills until they are ripe to plunge into battle in Fiba-sanctioned international competitions, with the main goal being the 2010 Youth Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.

"It has been a long time since we played in the Olympics and with this program, we can achieve that," Altamirano added.

Altamirano also said the good thing with the program is that they no longer need to extract the kids from home.

"It’s not like before that they have to leave for Manila to train because they will be training in areas close to home. That is usually the apprehension of parents, but be assured that this will not be a hindrance to schoolwork," said Altamirano.

Gregorio, for his part, said it is with great pride that the BAP-SBP came up with this program.

"There is nothing like this in any other sports association in the country. This is a three-year, P80 million program. We are funding a program and not individuals so you will be assured that even if we are no longer around, the program will continue," Gregorio said.

Last time

Gregorio said the last time the Philippines qualified for the Olympics was the 1972 Munich Olympics. "With a world-class program like this and a budget like that, how could we go wrong?" Gregorio added.

As an example, Gregorio mentioned Iran, which, until last year, had never qualified for the Olympics before

"They gather their boys at a young age and by the time they play for the country, they would have been together for at least eight years already. This was their formula of success. Here, we tap players, who are already playing for the pros. We are trying to change that," Gregorio said.

NBTC Cebu head Fernandez, who conducted a series of tryouts in two age groups, the 14-15 and 16-17 last month, introduced the lucky players, who made the cut alongside their proud parents.

Those who made it to the 16 to 17 bracket are John Abad, RG Rios, Eugene Viajedor, Chobby Dano and Aldwin Felisario from UV with UC’s Leymund Babad, Alfred Codilla, Marty John Pearce, Pelayo Cabanero and Jeff Ryan Alviva.

Completing the group are University of San Carlos’ John Delos Santos, Sam Hermosa, Nilton Otida and Robert Codilla, Philippine Christian Gospel School’ Kingston Ang and Sacred Heart School-Jesuits’ Elmer Cabahug.

Making it to the 14 to 15 age bracket are USC’s Chino Uy, Kareem Alocillo, John Sepe, Sherwin Co, Quo Arong, James Sumayang, Kim Nuneza and Dominic Nazareno, USJ-R’s Miko Marquez, Clint Munez and James Regalado and UV’s Rhaffy Octobre and Edcor Marata with SHS-J’ Justin dela Cruz, Jay dela Cruz, Jasper Diaz, Jerry Seno and Joseph Roma, and Sean Nicdao of Apas National High School. The alternates are Darryl Nazareno of USC and Zandro Palileo of UC.

Fernandez also introduced the six associate coaches, who will help him with the training.