Following the culmination of the 2-day Abanse Negrense Basketball Elite Camp on June 5-6 at the Montalbo Covered Court in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Inc.’s (SBP) Grassroots and Talent Identification Program Head Coach Norman Augustus Black, Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team Coach Raymond Leonard “Bacon” Austria, Ateneo Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach and Gilas Pilipinas Team Manager Coach Dean Caesar Castaño, and Bacolodnon professional basketball player Justin Shaun Chua at the Provincial Capitol on Thursday afternoon.
During the courtesy visit, Black told Lacson that the Negros leg of SBP’s nationwide grassroots training program was among the best they’ve conducted so far. Black also took notice that the Province of Negros Occidental was indeed the home of several promising young talents when it comes to basketball.
When asked about SBP’s grassroots training masterplan, Black told the governor that SBP aims to train and identify potential prospects from different provinces and regions in the country who can potentially become future stars of Philippine basketball. Black also advised the provincial organizers to keep and maintain a database of the shortlisted participants’ draft combine stats assessment for easy monitoring of their progress and development.
The governor then presented the guests with certificates and tokens of appreciation for their time and efforts in bringing the SBP Grassroots Training Program in the Province of Negros Occidental.
As for what’s in store next following the commencement of SBP’s nationwide grassroots training program in the province, Provincial Sports Coordinator/SBP Provincial Director Anthony Carlo Agustin revealed the plans of the Abanse Negrense Sports Programs to collaborate with SBP Head Office and local government units in Negros Occidental to conduct a series of clinics in three area clusters – the North, Central, and South Negros Clusters.*
