At the 2015 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Presented by Alaska Tip-Off, Jan. 24, at the British School Manila, Bonifacio Global City, Philippine Basketball Association All-Star player and coach Jeff Cariaso has announced his return to Alaska to help the next generation of young and aspiring basketball players realize their dreams. The launch was led by Alaska Milk President and CEO Fred Uytengsu, NBA Country Manager for the Philippines Carlo Singson and Alaska Milk VP for Marketing Blen Fernando.
“This feels like a homecoming for me because I’ve always been proud to be part of Alaska. My job right now is to find the best basketball players for boys and girls around the country and help them develop to their full potential not just as players but also as persons and productive members of the community,” said Cariaso.
Cariaso started his 15-year career in PBA after he was drafted sixth overall by Alaska in 1995 where he also took the Rookie of the Year award that year. On his 2nd year in the league, he achieved a rare Grand Slam with the Aces. When Jeff rejoined Alaska Aces in 2004, he was team captain for six years before announcing his retirement in 2010 after playing 15 seasons in the league.
From being a 10-time PBA All-Star, 2003 PBA All-Filipino Finals MVP and 2002 PBA All Filipino Best Player of the Conference, Cariaso began his transition to becoming a coach in 2011.
Cariaso returned home to Alaska this year to as Basketball Director for Alaska Basketball Powercamp and Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA under Alaska's NUTRITION. ACTION. CHAMPION. Program to help aspiring young players achieve their full potential. He will travel around the country together with the other coaches to conduct school clinics for coaches and players during the regional selection camps. They will also teach not just the basics of the sport but also STAR values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (positive) Attitude, and Respect. These activities will culminate in the National Training Camp at the SM Mall of Asia where the 2015 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA all-star teams and national coaches are named.
The players and coaches will then have an experience of a lifetime when they go on a trip to watch an NBA game and meet NBA players. Last year, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA teams flew to Beijing, China to meet basketball legend Yao Ming and played friendly basketball games with other all-stars teams from Southeast Asia.
Young boys and girls will learn positive values as they as they showcase their basketball skills with athletes of the same age (10 to 14) through the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA. Alaska promotes a healthy lifestyle, especially among children, through regular sports activities and proper nutrition.
According to the 7th National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute and the Department of Health, obesity is increasing with nearly two out 10 children considered as overweight. Under-nutrition is also a public health concern.
Alaska provides proper nutrition through its Alaska Chocolate Powdered Milk Drink, which contains essential nutrients that help children reach their full growth potential.
With Alaska as presenting partner, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA program has reached thousands of schools and communities nationwide and benefited thousands of young boys and girls, parents, and coaches through basketball training camps and school clinics.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program for 2015 will definitely be exciting with Coach Jeff on board in helping our future athletes realize their dreams. Encourage your children to go out and play!
For general information about Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Philippines please visit www.jrnba.asia/philippines; Alaska Milk Corporation visit www.alaskamilk.com; Alaska Basketball Power Camp visit www.alaskapowercamp.com/basketball and for live Twitter updates follow @ALASKAsportshub #JrNBA #JrWNBA - Runner Rocky
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