By Nanette Guadalquiver/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — A total of 487 campers joined the just-concluded Bacolod leg of the Alaska Basketball Power Camp 2019 held at Trinity Christian School here.
The Bacolod training camp, which ran from May 10 to 16, saw the most number of participants among the three events conducted in various cities this summer.
Of the 487 campers, 457 were boys while 30 were girls who learned the fundamental skills and core values in playing basketball.
There were 47 participants in the 4-7 years old category; 137 in the 8-10 years old; 166 in the 11-13 years old; and 137 in the 14 years old and above divisions.
Meanwhile, the Manila leg lured 195 campers while Baguio camp drew more than 300 young basketball enthusiasts.
Camp director Jeffrey Cariaso said they teach the participants the core values to be a good citizen and better athlete.
“We want to instill in them the value of hard work, determination, discipline, and respect,” Cariaso, a former Philippine Basketball Association player and Alaska Aces assistant coach, said in a statement on Sunday.
Bacolod head coach, Mark “Tata” Belangel, said the training camp, which the city hosted for the fourth time, has been receiving positive feedback based on the increasing number of participants each year.
“I have seen the growth of the campers since they started joining years before. They have become better student-athletes,” he added.
Belangel said some of the standout campers became varsity players in various schools.
“There are numerous talents in Bacolod waiting for an opportunity to be trained and become champions,” he said.
Belangel noted that coaches in Metro Manila schools have identified Bacolod as a source of top basketball talents.
Former PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller, who was among the coaches in the Bacolod leg, said they have always received great support when holding the basketball camp in this city.
“There are very talented Bacolod children with potentials waiting to be unleashed,” he added.
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