If you have read before here in Kwento Ni Toto the kick off of the Master Game Face Challenge together with the two basketball superstars, Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine and Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee then good for you because you’re in for another great things to happen at the Master Game Face Challenge. Last week, Team Chris and Team Marc drafted their chosen players from a pool of 30 PBA players. The game is scheduled to happen on June 21 7PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Some of the fans favorite PBA basketball players will be there together with some of the stars from the collegiate league. What’s more exciting is that NBA superstar of Minnesota Timberwolves Power Forward "Kevin Love" will be there to do his signature moves alongside dunkers from the USA.

Kwento Ni Toto shares what transpired last April 24, 2014 at Treston International College Gym in Bonifacio Global City, an intriguing face off happens as two of today's stars in the Philippine basketball meet in one event that sure made the court as hot as ever. Master, the country's leading men's skin care and face care brand launched this years Master Game Face All-Star Basketball Challenge where the two clashing basketball stars Chris Tiu and Marc Pingris together with their team from the collegiate leagues like the UAAP and NCAA will meet in an exciting match to win Master Game Face Challenge. The event was witnessed by media people and bloggers. There were raffles and some three-on-three action happened where each media and bloggers were paired to two of the players and held a very exciting match.

One of the most interesting sports in the world and of course the all time favorite sports of Filipinos, the Basketball.  Fortunately the sponsor for this event is also my all time favorite team in Philippine Basketball, the Alaska Aces.  Though most of the star players the team that I looked onto before were not there anymore, still, it's my favorite team.  I just wish sometime that they would reunite and try to have a friendly match with the other teams.

So much with reminiscing of the past but instead get into the details about this event for this year. 


The event was held inside of the Treston International School' basketball court.  It was really a shrinking feeling seeing those gigantic basketball players roaming around the basketball court.  This event was a Tip-off for the 2012 Jr. NBA presented by the Alaska Program and this year was their fifth consecutive year for the Philippines.

Kids will sure love to be part of the basketball program by Jr. NBA.


Here's what they say about this program...

The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska is back in the Philippines for the fifth consecutive year, with first-time stops in Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.  Alaska Powdered Milk Drink will serve as the presenting partner of the Jr. NBA program for the second consecutive year.


The Jr. NBA is the league's international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children.  In addition to the three new cities, the 2012 Philippines schedule will also include Metro Manila, where the Jr. NBA National Training Camp will take place.  The program is open to boys between 10 and 14 years old.


"We have a great partner in Alaska, which shares our dedication to youth sports development and has played a vital role in the growth of the Jr. NBA program," said Scott Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Asia.  "With the involvement of all our partners, the Jr. NBA program continues to expand and touch the lives of more young players, coaches, educators, and parents."

"Alaska is committed to developing talent at the youth level and we are pleased to return as presenting partner," said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation.  "The Jr. NBA is a great fit with Alaska's mission to nurture talent and promote a healthy lifestyle through sports from a young age, and we look forward to another successful program this year."


This year's program will tip off with a coaching clinic in Manila on Jan. 14, and will then travel to Puerto Princesa in Palawan for a coaching clinic on Jan 15 and a school clinic on Jan. 16.  From Palawan, the Jr. NBA will return to Central LUzon on Jan. 18 for a school clinic and NBA Cares event in flood hit Pampanga.  The Jr. NBA will also hold an NBA Cares activity on Jan. 19 in Cagayan de Oro, which was recently devastated by Typhoon Sendong, followed by a schol clinic on Jan 20.

School clinics will continue during the months of February and March in Metro Manila in the lead up to the Regional Selection Camps which will be held in Puerto Princesa (Apr 10 - 11), Cagayan de Oro (Apr 14 - 15), Pampanga (Apr 17 - 18) and Manila (Apr 21 - 22).  Upon completion of the Regional Selection Camps, the top 50 players from all over the country will be slected to participate in the three-day Jr. NBA National Training Camp to be held in early May in Manila.  As part of Alaska Milk's support of the Jr. NBA, 10 of the 50 National Camp participants will be selected from this year's Alaska Basketball Power Camp.  The program will culminate with the selection of the Jr. NBA All-Star Team providing the 10 best campers a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a Jr. NBA team from another country.

Similar to last year, the 2012 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will be announced at the Jr. NBA National Training Camp, where the top 10 finalists for the award will be invited to participate as assistant instructors.  The award winner will be announced on the last day of the national training camp.  Coaches interested in joining the search for Coach of the Year can log onto the Jr. NBA website for more details.

This year, Jr. NBA coach and former NBA player Martin "Marty" Conlon, who played for several NBA teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics, will oversee the program along with local coaches selected by the NBA, as well as members of the Alaska Aces coaching staff. The coaches will assist in teaching the NBA skill stations as well as communicating the importance of the Jr. NBA core values of sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude, and respect (S.T.A.R.).  An NBA legend will participate in the national training camp and community outreach programs through NBA Cares.

The Jr. NBA program, together with its partners, will reinforce key values such as the importance of sports participation for parents and children, and will educate children, parents and coaches on children's health and nutritional requirements.  In addition to Alaska Powdered Milk Drink, Gatorade returns as a partner this year and Spalding will once again act as the official supplier.  Jr. NBA official broadcast partners are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23, with the Manila Bulletin serving as the official media print partner.  Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).  Provincial Host Cities include Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Cagayan de Oro.

The Jr. NBA first visited the Philippines in early 2007 at 16 Metro Manila private and public schools.  The program expanded to 200 schools and 20,000 participants in 2008-09 and to 300 schools and 30,000 students in 2009-10.  In 2011, the program reached more than 400 schools and 40,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country.  Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches.  The program remains free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino boys who want to join the program.  Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA event website www.jrnba.com.ph.  Fans can also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines and our official Twitter Feed at http://twitter.com/NBA_Philippines