BEST BASKETBALL CLINIC OPENS 33RD EDITION MAY 16

Young basketball players learn to dribble in this file photo of BEST Basketball Clinic in Cebu.  Photo courtesy of Rico Navarro, director of this annual clinic.

Benji Paras, Zandro Limpot, LA Tenorio, and Keifer Ravena - they have one thing in common - they all attended Best Basketball Clinic when they were younger, when they were trying to learn to play basketball.

            While Paras and Limpot are all retired after colorful careers in the PBA, Tenorio and Ravena are still dribbling and shooting. Ravena is fast becoming a budding superstar for Ateneo.

            I’ve watched him play in Cebu when he was donning the colors of the Philippine 18U Team and all I could say was “wow” every time he scores. Simply put, he’s an exciting player with very bright future.

            If there’s one important concept young boys will learn from this clinic that would be fundamentals.

            Well, if you’d seen Tenorio’s crossover dribble, then you know what I mean.

            A few weeks back, I played basketball at the Temple Complex along Gorordo Avenue. Yes, there’s a basketball court there, at the back of the meetinghouse.

            I played against Wilson Ganir, a temple missionary, of Filipino roots. He’s 61 years old but he could still play four games without even gasping for air.

            I teamed up with my ward’s young men and single adults and after the game, I pointed to Wilson. I told them how he adept he handled the ball and issued perfect go-ahead passes.

            There’s no secret that he played guard for Brigham Young University-Hawaii Campus in Laie, Hawaii, where he learned the fundamentals of the game.

            Back to Best Basketball Clinic.

            This Milo-backed clinic will open its 33^rd edition in Cebu on May 16.

            Rico Navarro, a good friend and director of this annual basketball clinic, e-mailed the details.

• May 16-21, 2011 (Mon-Sat)
• Venue: Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (Mango Ave Campus Gym)
• Fee: P2,300.00
• Levels Offered: 1-4
• For ages 9-up
• Time: 8am-12nn; 1-5pm* (*All students are required to be there at 7am on May 16. The coaching staff will divide the group into half-day sessions/classes based on levels and ages.) 
• Registration period:
• May 9 onwards at the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Campus.
• Early enrollees may also register and pay at the Athletic Dept Office of the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu, Canduman, Mandaue City.
• For more info, please contact: 583-7196, 0908-895-2933, 0923-342-8193 (SunCel users)

Rico said they had Ompong Segura and Bunky Bacay as coaches last year, but added that he has yet to confirm who will conduct the clinic next month.

Whoever the coaches will be, if your son has potential for the game, enroll him at Best Basketball Clinic. You will never regret your decision.