HAROLD ALARCON NAMED BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS ASIA 2019 BOYS ALL-STAR GAME MVP

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, Aug. 17, 2019— The fourth and final day of Basketball without Borders (BWB) Asia 2019 in Tokyo, Japan concluded in thrilling fashion as the 64 campers from 18 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific competed in playoffs and championship games, a 3-point contest, and a pair of All-Star games, which featured Batang Gilas forward Joshua Rafael Lazaro, Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars Harold Alarcon and Florence Jil Talas.

The camp got underway in the morning with playoffs games to determine the championship games matchup.  On the girls side, the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks faced off in the championship game, with the Liberty (coached by former WNBA player Ashley Battle) coming away with a 33 – 18 win. 

The boys championship game then followed, with the Orlando Magic, coached on the sidelines by current NBA assistant coach Pat Delany, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 22 – 16.

Upon the conclusion of the championship games, the boys and girls competed in the 3-point competition finals.  Mustafa Rashed from Bahrain was crowned the boys 3-point champion, while Japan’s Miyu Ogita came out on top on the girls side.

Finally, the two boys and two girls All-Star teams were announced.  The West All-Stars pulled out a win for the girls (29 – 23), while the East All-Stars emerged victorious on the boys side with a 42 – 37 win that saw Alarcon emerge as the Boys All-Star Game MVP.

The 11th BWB Asia camp wrapped up with the Awards Ceremony.  Junseok Yeo (South Korea) was named Boys MVP, while Georgia Woolley from Australia was crowned as MVP on the girls side.  

The following is a complete list of All-Star rosters and awards winners:

Girls All-Star Team:

East – Siya Deodhar (India), Aika Hirashita (Japan), Jayzelee Waihi (New Zealand), Georgia Woolley (Australia), Ruby-Belle Macdonald (Australia), Jiyeong Moon (South Korea), Jazzmyne Kailahi-Fulu (New Zealand) 

West – Florence Jil Talas (Philippines), Maho Hayashi (Japan), Emilia Shearer (New Zealand), Harsimran Kaur (India), Miyu Ogita (Japan), Isabelle Morgan (Australia), Emily Sewell (Australia) 

Boys All-Star Team:

East – Mustafa Rashed (Bahrain), Atsuya Ogawa (Japan), Harold Alarcon (Philippines), Clifton Bush III (New Zealand), Alexander Frederick Zanbaka (Lebanon), Kyutae Lee (South Korea), Daniel Rogers (Australia), Amaan Sandhu (India)

West – Hendrick Xavi Yonga (Indonesia), Kaine Roberts (Japan), Enkhiin-Od "Michael" Sharavjamts (Mongolia), Joshua Rafael Lazaro (Philippines), Patrick Ryan (Australia), Haomiao Sun (China), Jun Seok Yeo (South Korea), Lewis Rowe (Australia) 

List of Awards:

Boys Grit Award: Kaine Roberts (Japan)

Girls Grit Award: Emilia Shearer (New Zealand)

  

Boys 3-Point Champion: Mustafa Rashed (Bahrain) 

Girls 3-Point Champion: Miyu Ogita (Japan) 

Boys All-Star Game MVP: Harold Alarcon (Philippines) 

Girls All-Star Game MVP: Maho Hayashi (Japan)

Boys Camp MVP: Junseok Yeo (South Korea)

Girls Camp MVP: Georgia Woolley (Australia)  

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League.  The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2018-19 season featured 108 international players from 42 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.6 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

  

JR. NBA ASIA PACIFIC BOYS TEAM MAKES HISTORY IN JR. NBA GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, Aug. 13, 2019 – The Jr. NBA Asia Pacific Boys Team became the first international team to beat a U.S. team in the Jr. NBA Global Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida.  Australian guard Donte Nance scored the game-winning basket against the U.S. South Boys Team for a 61-59 overtime win to finish a successful campaign for Asia Pacific.

Filipino center Henjz Gabriel “Kobe” Demisana tallied 8 points and 7 rebounds, while point guard Lionel Matthew Rubico contributed 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals in the victory.  Through five games, Demisana averaged 6.3 points and 6 rebounds while Rubico tallied 4 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals. 

In spite of an injury that prevented participation in the single elimination game against Africa, Roy Sebastian Reyes averaged 3.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals in four games. 

In addition, the Asia Pacific Girls Team bowed out to U.S. Midwest Girls Team in their final game, which saw Filipina guard Dianne Camille Nolasco lead the team with 6 assists and 3 steals.  Nolasco finished the tournament with averages of 6.6 points, 4 assists and 1.8 steals in five games.

“It was challenging to have players coming from different countries, especially because of the language barrier,” said Jr. NBA Asia Pacific Girls Team Coach Tony dela Cruz.  “The way these guys came together to play was amazing and to be the first team to beat a U.S. team was really special.”

The U.S. Central Girls Team and the U.S. West Boys Team took home the gold at the end of the six-day tournament.  NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, three-time NBA Champion and Jr. NBA Global Championship Ambassador Dwyane Wade, and New Orleans Pelicans Vice President of Basketball Operations/Team Development and former WNBA All-Star Swin Cash presented the winning teams with trophies in postgame ceremonies.

The global youth basketball tournament took place from August 6-11 and brought together 32 of the top 13 and 14-year old boys and girls teams from around the world.  This is the second consecutive staging of the Jr. NBA Global Championship and the first to feature an Asia Pacific Team.  During the weeklong event, the teams participated in activities designed to reinforce the Jr. NBA’s core values.  The tournament also provided the young athletes with development opportunities and memorable experiences, including health and wellness programs, leadership development, and NBA Cares community service projects.

For more information on the Jr. NBA Global Championship, visit the official website at jrnbagc.nba.com and on Facebookand Instagram.

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League.  The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2018-19 season featured 108 international players from 42 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.6 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

TWITCH TO EXCLUSIVELY STREAM SELECT JR. NBA GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today a multiyear partnership with Twitch, in which the social video service will exclusively stream select Jr. NBA Global Championship games.  Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., Twitch will live stream up to 76 games during the weeklong youth basketball tournament for the top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world.

Twitch will provide live streams of select games from both the boys and girls divisions to a worldwide audience, beginning with round-robin play Aug. 6-7 and continuing with the single-elimination competition Aug. 9-11.  The schedule consists of 42 pool play games, 12 quarterfinal games and seven semifinal games, as well as the international girls championship game and select Positive Finish consolation games.  All games will be co-streamed, giving fans a chance to connect with their community by offering their own commentary.

“We look forward to working with Twitch to provide fans of youth basketball with an innovative viewing experience during the Jr. NBA Global Championship,” said David Denenberg, NBA Senior Vice President, Global Media Distribution and Business Affairs.  “Through this partnership, Twitch will spotlight more than 300 of the top youth players from around the world to a young and engaged global audience.” 

All Jr. NBA Global Championship games will be available live on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/nba.  Following each live broadcast, games will also be available to view on-demand, giving fans the opportunity to watch the events when it is convenient for them around the world.

Twitch will work closely with the league to incorporate innovative elements, such as interactive custom overlays, to provide new fan engagement opportunities that further enhance the live game viewing experience.

The deal is part of the continued relationship between Twitch and NBA-affiliated leagues and partners.  Over the past two years, Twitch has streamed NBA G League and NBA 2K League games, and this month was named the exclusive streaming partner of USA Basketball.

“Twitch is the home of multiplayer entertainment and we’re excited to showcase these exciting games in a place where fans can cheer for the players live,” says Michael Aragon, Senior Vice-President of Content at Twitch.  “Our partnership with the NBA was one of our first outside gaming, so we know the passion of communities around the NBA well.  The Jr. NBA Global Championship games are going to be amazing."

About the Jr. NBA

The Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour is the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls that teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game: teamwork, respect, determination and community.  The Jr. NBA is focused on helping grow and improve the youth basketball experience at the grassroots level for players, coaches and parents, and offers a free curriculum covering all levels of the game that includes 48 practice plans and more than 250 instructional videos featuring NBA and WNBA players.  The second Jr. NBA Global Championship, a global youth basketball tournament for top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world, will take place from Aug. 6-11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla.

In partnership with USA Basketball, the NBA developed two sets of youth basketball guidelines which promote player health and wellness and age-appropriate rules and standards.  Through a network of affiliated youth basketball organizations and programs such as the Jr. NBA Skills Challenge presented by Verizon and 3v3 Leagues presented by Shock Doctor, the Jr. NBA program has reached more than five million youth ages 6-14 in the U.S. and Canada since launching its expanded efforts in October 2015.  The Jr. NBA partnership network is comprised of youth basketball programs of all NBA, WNBA and NBA G League teams as well as elementary and middle schools, military bases and longstanding community partners.  For more information and to register for the Jr. NBA, visit www.JrNBA.com or download the Jr. NBA app.

About Twitch

Launched in 2011, Twitch is a global community that comes together each day to create multiplayer entertainment: unique, live, unpredictable experiences created by the interactions of millions. It brings the joy of co-op to everything, from casual gaming to world-class esports to anime marathons, music, and art streams. Twitch also hosts TwitchCon, our biggest event of the year, where we bring everyone together to celebrate, learn, and grow their personal interests and passions. We’re always live at Twitch. Stay up to date on all things Twitch on Twitter and on our Blog.

Four Filipinos to Represent Asia Pacific at Jr. NBA Global Championship

Select Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 All-Stars, comprised of three boys and one girl, will represent Asia Pacific at the Jr. NBA Global Championship, a youth basketball tournament for the top 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams from around the world that will be held Aug. 6-11 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida. 

Camille Nolasco, Heinz Gabriel Demisana, Sebastian Reyes, and Lionel Matthew Rubico were recognized as part of the top performing players of the first-ever Jr. NBA Asia Pacific Selection Camp staged June 15-16 at the Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) in Jakarta, Indonesia, which featured 34 boys and 34 girls from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.  Led by Jr. NBA coaches Carlos Barroca, Rob Newson and Natalia Andre, the two-day camp lessons to the participants including how to execute technical and tactical skills and develop teamwork among players of varying languages and cultural backgrounds.

In addition, Jr. NBA athletes participated in the skills challenge during the Jr. NBA All-Star Saturday Night event that featured Jr. NBA Indonesia alumni and Indonesian personalities including professional basketball player Daniel Wenas, actress and singer Mikha Tambayong, and social media influencers Hadi al Ghifary and Reynal Abipraya.

Jr. NBA Philippines 2019 is presented by Alaska, with AXA, Gatorade, Globe, Panasonic, Rexona and Vivo as official partners. ABS-CBN S+A, Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV are the official broadcasters of Jr. NBA Philippines.

Fans can learn more about Jr. NBA Philippines at www.jrnba.asia/philippines and onFacebook and the NBA at www.nba.com and on Facebook and Twitter.  Visitwww.alaskamilk.com to learn more about Alaska Milk Corporation, and follow Alaska Milk on Facebook for more information about Alaska Sports.

Quotes:

Henjz Gabriel Demisana

“Basketball has given me many opportunities with one of them being able to play in the Jr. NBA program.  I’m very proud to join the Asia Pacific team competing in the Jr. NBA Global Championship.”

Diane Camille Nolasco

“When I first saw my opponents, I didn’t expect to be here since they’re so tall, but I brought the Filipino mentality ‘puso’ which helped achieve my goal of being part of the Jr. NBA Asia Pacific girls team.”

Sebastian Roy Reyes

“I’m excited for the competition in the United States because it will be a lot harder than in Asia.  Representing the Philippines is a big deal for myself because not all kids have an opportunity to play for their country.”

Lionel Matthew Rubico

“My coaches always reminded to go hard to the basket, not be afraid, believe in myself, and fight with all my heart.  I’m looking forward to meeting new friends and challenging the talented players from around the world.”

The following is a complete list of Jr. NBA Global Championship Asia Pacific Team members:

BOYS ROSTER:

First Name	Last Name	Country
Henjz Gabriel	Demisana	Philippines
Joshua	Dent	Australia
Tan Zi Sheng	Jayson	Singapore
Email Ajmal Bin	Jamil	Malaysia
Brian	Leonard	Indonesia
Eishin	Naito	Japan
Dontae	Nance	New Zealand
Sebastian Roy	Reyes	Philippines
Lionel Matthew	Rubico	Philippines
Tikun	Sriphrawiang	Thailand

GIRLS ROSTER:

First Name	Last Name	Country
Supawadee	Aupatum	Thailand
Angelica Jenifer	Candra	Indonesia
Reina	Fukuo	Japan
Summah	Hanson	Australia
Chong Pui	Khee	Malaysia
Phung Trang	Linh	Vietnam
Diane Camille	Nolasco	Philippines
Vanissa Renata	Siregar	Indonesia
Lily	Taulelei	New Zealand
Iris	Yuen	Singapore

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League.  The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2018-19 season featured 108 international players from 42 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.6 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

About Alaska Milk

Given the growing issues on health as well as the fast-changing technological environment, which leads to the change in children’s interests and behavior or sedentary lifestyle, Alaska believes that there is a need to reinforce its thrust in leading a healthy lifestyle not just by drinking milk but also by leading an active lifestyle. Alaska seeks to engage the youth, especially younger kids, in sports.

                              

Alaska Milk looks beyond selling milk – it sells nutrition and by doing so, the Company and brand Alaska is doing its part in nation-building.  Through youth sports development programs, Alaska is able to help nourish children for them to develop into champions in the field of interest and, in general, in life.  The overall objective of the Alaska Sports is to strengthen the brand’s equity in nutrition through sports.  To portray Alaska Fortified as a brand that helps instill the values of determination, discipline, teamwork, and hard work among the youth through sports.