The 7th Jr.NBA & Jr.WNBA presented by Alaska Journey officially begins!

PRESS RELEASE

Jr. NBA Jr. WNBA Coaching Staff

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) study revealed that obesity, which can lead to serious heart problems and diabetes at a young age is becoming one of the most prevalent nutritional problems of Filipino children and adults. To prevent increasing the risk of these diet-related diseases, it is imperative to have proper nutrition and an active lifestyle.

Given these growing issues on health, Alaska continues their partnership with Jr. NBA this year to nurture young boys, and girls, become better individuals and encourage them to embrace a healthy lifestyle not just by drinking milk but also by leading an active lifestyle through sports.

The 2014 Jr.NBA presented by Alaska, the international youth development program of the NBA, formally launched its seventh staging and their new program exclusively for girls, the Jr.WNBA last January 18, Saturday at the British School Manila, Bonifacio Global City.

The launch was led by Alaska Milk President and CEO Fred Uytengsu, Alaska Milk VP for Marketing Blen Fernando, NBA Asia Country Manager Carlo Singson and NBA Head of Basketball Operations Sefu Bernard.

NBA Asia Country Manager, Carlo Singson and Wilfred Steven Uytengsu President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation

"We are excited to jumpstart another active year of Alaska Sports with the opening of the Jr. NBA-Alaska program,” said Uytengsu. “This year, young girl players will also get the opportunity to participate and benefit from the program with the launch of Jr. WNBA.

The Jr. WNBA program allows aspiring girls in the country to be part of NBA’s international youth development program. These girls will be given the same trainings and opportunities as Jr. NBA participants because in these modern times, girls are just as interested in sports, specially basketball, as the boys.

With Alaska as presenting partner, the Jr. NBA program has reached hundreds of schools and communities nationwide and benefited thousands of children, parents, and coaches through basketball training camps and school clinics.

Some of the best local basketball coaches, led by Alaska and PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa join NBA coaches led by Sefu Bernard in travelling all over the country to conduct school clinics for coaches and players during the regional selection camp starting on January 19.

These activities will culminate in the National Training Camp at the SM Mall of Asia where the 2014 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA basketball players and national coach will be named. They will then given 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 All-Star Philippine team watched a Los Angeles Lakers home game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center met NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

NBA Asia Country Manager, Carlo Singson and Wilfred Steven Uytengsu President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation

The Jr. NBA & Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska, is just one of Alaska’s Sports Development Program that inspires children to become future champions through teaching them skills to play the game while incorporating the values of determination, hard work, teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.

Become a champion too and join Alaska’s sports programs now! NUTRITION.ACTION CHAMPION. For more information on Jr. NBA Philippines visit www.jrnba.asia/philippines; Alaska Basketball Power Camp visit: www.alaskapowercamp.com/basketball and for live Twitter updates, follow: @ALASKAsportshub.