10 picked as Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars

The top ten cagers named to the Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 presented by Alaska All-Star Team are (front row, L-R): Princess BJ Marie Villarin, Mikylla Taborada, Karylle Sierba, Diane Camille Nolasco, and Justine Mhyrra Vibangco; (back row, L-R): Lionel Matthew Rubico, Sebastian Roy Reyes, Zhan Paolo Moreno, Henjz Gabriel Demisana, and Joshua Minguillo. Also in photo are Alaska Aces mascot E-Cow, Alaska Milk Corporation Chairman of the Board and Jr. NBA Asia Advisory Council member Wilfred Uytengsu, Alaska Coach Tony dela Cruz, Jr. NBA Coach Natalia Andre, WNBA Legend Ticha Penicheiro, Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Collin Sexton, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee and Jr. NBA Asia Advisory Council member Hans Sy, NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson, and Jr. NBA Head Coach Carlos Barroca.

Earlier this month, the Jr. NBA Philippines National Training Camp took place, with eighty participants getting the chance to be schooled by Jr. NBA coaches Carlos Barroca and Natalia Andre, as well as Alaska coaches Jeffrey Cariaso and Tony dela Cruz. Assisting them are a couple of guests: WNBA legend Ticha Penicheiro and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton.

The second day involved an exhibition game at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall that involved an all-alumni game and one involving the campers, while the first day of instruction taking place at the Gatorade Hoops Center and at the Don Bosco Technical Institute. Thirdy Ravena and Janjan Jaboneta hung around and checked out Day 2 camp as well, with Thirdy taking an impromptu assistant coaching duties to Sexton in one of the exhibition games.

After all the games, the Selection Committee revealed the five boys and five girls who made the cut as Jr. NBA (and Jr. WNBA) Philippines All-Stars.

Girls: Dianne Camille Nolasco (Miriam College), Karylle Sierba (Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation), Mikylla Taborada (Corpus Christi School Cagayan de Oro), Justine Mhyrra Vibangco (Saint Joseph Parish School), Princes BJ Marie Villarin (La Salle-Zobel)

Boys: Henjz Gabriel Demisana (Bacolod Tay Tung High School), Joshua Minguillo (out-of-school), Zhan Paulo Moreno (Xavier University Cagayan de Oro), Sebastian Roy Reyes (Nazareth School of National University), Lionel Metthew Rubico (La Salle-Lipa).

In addition, there were additional awards handed out in the ceremonies.

Gatorade Hustle Awardees: Zhan Paolo Moreno and Franchesca Isabela Buenvenida

Panasonic Rising Star Awardees: Zak Gumaya and Kaye Andrea Vivas

Coaches of the Year: Orlando Estrelles and Precious Jimenez

Alaska Ambassadors: Henjz Gabriel Demisana and Justine Mhyrra Vibangco

MVPs: Sebastian Roy Reyes and Dianne Camille Nolasco

This year's edition of the Jr. NBA Philippines program presented by Alaska is also supported by AXA, Gatorade, Globe, Panasonic, Rexona, and Vivo as its official partners, with ABS-CBN S+A, Basketball TV, and NBA Premium TV acting as its official broadcasters.