Alaska Power Camp

 

 A total of 124 young basketball enthusiasts with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years old attended the Alaska Power Camp Manila Leg. Through the program, Alaska aims to instill the values sportsmanship, teamwork and discipline, and the importance of proper nutrition among kids through sports. The power camp, headed by Alaska Aces’ Asst. Coach Jojo Lastimosa, taught the participants the fundamental skills of basketball to help them not only to play better but also to become better individuals, and to prepare them for bigger opportunities in the future.

On the final day of the camp,  the power campers showed their shooting, dribbling and other basketballs skills. They were grouped into teams for a friendly competition.  This allowed the coaches to assess each one of them in terms of their individual and team skills set and competitiveness.

The six power campers drafted to represent the Alaska Power Camp were Andrei Montserrat, Rigelle Kent Ilagan, Jaime Alfonso Señeres, Krystoffe Jimenez, Ryen Dizon and Maurice Caculitan.  Their hardwork, skills and the discipline in the game of basketball paid off and brought them to be where they should be – the Jr. NBA – Alaska National Training Camp.

The Alaska Power Campers (Manila):
From left: Andrei Montserrat, Ryen Dizon, Coach Jojo Lastimosa, Rigelle Kent Ilagan, Krystoffe Jimenez, and Jaime Alfonso Señeres.
Not in the photo: Maurice Caculitan

Special awards were also given to recognize power campers who have exhibited significant improvements and who have displayed excellent basketball skills during the actual games.  The awards were Games MVP, Most Outstanding Player and the 100% Award.

Age Group 15 and above:
Games MVP and Most Oustanding Player – James Girado
100% Award – Edward Jimenez

Age Group 14 and under:
Games MVP – Kent Ilagan
Most Outstanding Player – Andrei Montserrat
100% Award – Walter Mendoza

Age Group 12 and under:
Games MVP – Andrei Duremdez
Most Outstanding Player – Louel Regalado
100% Award – Vince Diaz

Age Group 10 and under:
Games MVP – Jamie Kenneth Servito
Most Outstanding Player – Nicole Bianzon
100% Award – Patrice Mendiola

Group MVP – Rafael Diaz
100% Award – Miggy Limjap
Best Dribbler – Ynno Davit
Best Shooters – Brent Tanag and Carlos Delfino

In a short interview with the Most Outstanding Player Andrei Montserrat, he said that he did his best to be chosen to represent the Alaska Power Camp, and he is happy to have been given the chance.

Dexter Tindoc, a father and basketball enthusiast himself, lent support to his 9 year old son Marc Denver Tindoc,  who was part of the Manila leg of the Alaska Power Camp. When asked what inspired him to allow his son to join the sports program, he said that Marc Denver was very eager to play basketball. Also, the power camp is one place to meet and gain new friends.  His child learned to be more disciplined, which he acquired from the programs coaches and trainers.  Moreover, Marc Denver’s level of confidence to play the game was heightened due to the formal training.  On the top of those mentioned, his son really wanted to become a professional basketball player in the future. However, he stressed that it is very important to prioritize his education and finish his studies.

Mr. Tindoc also said that the Alaska Power Camp helped Marc Denver to be more particular about his diet, and that proper nutrition through milk is very important to boost his performance in every game.

In a nutshell, Power Camp training coach Joboy Tuason mentioned that in order to be considered for a slot in the Jr. NBA, a participant has to be competitive, must have the necessary skill set to compete with other kids their age, works hard during the training and during the actual game and must be disciplined, and practices regularly. They should try their best all the time.  On the other hand, he said that it’s also important that they focus on their studies.

The Alaska Power Camp Coaches

On a final note, Alaska Aces’ Asst. Coach Jojo Lastimosa shared that being part of Alaska Power Camp’s training team is his way of giving back, as he used to be basketball player himself. It gives him a sense of fulfillment teaching the kids the proper skills, the kind of discipline and hardwork in the game of basketball.

In Jr. NBA, he said that “it’s the best experience every young basketball aspirant can ever have.  The competition is always high, but he is confident that the five power campers they have chosen have the necessary skill set to be able to compete with other participants in the National Training Camp, and at least two of them have the chance to be in the Jr. NBA all star.”

Alaska Power Camp Head Coach Jojo Lastimosa was joined by training coaches — Marco Benitez, Bajji del Rosario, John Ramirez, Eric dela Cuesta, Dino Ponce – Enrile, Joboy Tuason, Jodel Pacampara, Mike Braga, Franco Atienza and Rafael Galos.