Paul Adrian Barcelona, a 6-foot 9th grader of St. John’s Institute in Bacolod City, is set to join the Jr. NBA Asia in Tokyo, Japan as one of the Philippines’ representatives on Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, a press release said.
The Jr. NBA Asia, the league’s youth program, provides the fundamental skills and the core values of basketball at the grassroots level to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for the players, parents and coaches in Asia based on the NBA global standards.
According to Pete Barcelona, Paul’s father, his son first garnered the invite to join the Jr. NBA Manila last May, during the virtual NBA summer camp skills competition.
Coach Mark Solano then offered Paul the opportunity to join the Jr. NBA League in Manila. His excellent basketball skills and sportsmanship earned Paul the top 3, qualifying him for Jr. NBA Asia.
Paul, a dedicated student athlete, who is a consistent academic awardee and a talent of Virtual Playground Athletes Management Agency, also spent the past five years playing for Talisay Sharks basketball team. He thanks the Sharks, led by coach Ryan Hugnatan, for the intensive training that greatly improved his basketball skills.
His 5-year strength and conditioning training with coach James Anthony Uy optimized his agility and flexibility. He is motivated with the support of his family especially his dad, who was also a star basketball player in high school, to enjoy the experience of playing his favorite sport.
The Bacolod City youth feels grateful and honored to step into another milestone of reaching his dreams thru this event, where the standouts will have a chance to qualify for the Jr. NBA World.*
